The second best way to use plastic is to recycle it. Dave Hakkens presents on his webside how it works:
Category Archives: Uncategorized
What plasic does with our planet
Watch this shocking video about plasic on midway island…
A solution for this problem could be “Bioplastic”
Overview
human eye as a model for better wiping systems
September 13, 2015 | separating | Comments (0)
Engineer and inventor Robert Kearns (1929-2005) lived in Detroit, a region surrounded by the auto industry. One misty, rainy day he drove his Ford Galaxie across town. He was irritated by the constant scraping and vibration of the windshield wipers on the semi-dry windshield. At this time, most wip
[ read more ]
Mussel-Inspired 'Glue' for Surgical Repair
September 13, 2015 | wet instead of dry | Comments (0)
When it comes to sticking power under wet conditions, marine mussels are hard to beat. They can adhere to virtually all inorganic and organic surfaces, sustaining their tenacious bonds in saltwater, including turbulent tidal environments. Technical application: unexpected high! Bionic appli
[ read more ]
Self healing materials
September 13, 2015 | self service | Comments (0)
Many processes in organisms based on the self-organization of biological components. For materials scientists, such substances are a dream: you react autonomously to their environment and can adapt to this different conditions. At the U.S. MIT researchers aim to produce such wonders molecules artifi
[ read more ]
stegosaurus plates for innovative wind-turbines
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
Thousands of wind turbines have been installed worldwide in recent years for the production of clean electric energy. Efforts continue to make the large turbines efficient and quiet. One successful modification of existing turbine blades is inspired by the stegosaur. Technical applicat
[ read more ]
Harvest gold out of plants - Phytomining
September 13, 2015 | separating | Comments (0)
The technique of phytomining involves growing a crop of a metal-hyperaccumulating plant species, harvesting the biomass and burning it to produce a bio-ore. In the first phytomining experiment, it was found that a yield of 100 kg/ha of sulphur-free Ni could be produced. Technical application:
[ read more ]
bio-inspired spring to reach your tall targets
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
It has long been known that many climbing plants produce unusual tendrils for grasping and climbing. When stretched tightly, the spiral-shaped fibers do not unwind to a flat ribbon like a typical spring shape such as a telephone cord. Instead, when stretched, sections of the fiber coil further in t
[ read more ]
flexible eye lens focused by a fluid
September 13, 2015 | volume | Comments (0)
The lens in our eye has a special designed feature called accommodation. That is, the lens changes shape, curvature, or focal length to bring images into focus. When we look at a far distant object the lens becomes thinner. For nearby objects the lens thickens and becomes rounder for clear vision.
[ read more ]
Leave inspire for more flexible robots, grabbers and operation tools
September 13, 2015 | shape | Comments (0)
Many plant blossoms open and close on a daily schedule and slowly follow the sun across the sky. Other plants display more vigorous behavior. The small leaves fold inward in just seconds and then slowly reopen. The active plant grows worldwide and the Latin term pudica means shy, bashful, or shrin
[ read more ]
your phone, inspired by yourself
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
The eardrum is a marvel of engineering. As thin as tissue paper, it vibrates in response to the slightest changes in air pressure. If the eardrum surface moves inward a distance equal to the diameter of a single atom, one hundred millionth of a centimeter, a distinct sound is perceived. Clearly, a
[ read more ]
your phone, inspired by yourself
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
The eardrum is a marvel of engineering. As thin as tissue paper, it vibrates in response to the slightest changes in air pressure. If the eardrum surface moves inward a distance equal to the diameter of a single atom, one hundred millionth of a centimeter, a distinct sound is perceived. Clearly, a
[ read more ]
An exciting view on bionic engineering
September 13, 2015 | multifunctionality | Comments (0)
http://www.ted.com/talks/hugh_herr_the_new_bionics_that_let_us_run_climb_and_dance
[ read more ]
a much more efficient impellent for submarines
September 13, 2015 | speed | Comments (0)
A researcher at Caltech is developing new ways to power submarines and windmills using the lowly jellyfish. Jellyfish have a unique method of swimming through ocean water. Rather than using fins and flippers, they “pump” their body to produce ring-shaped pulses of water called vortex rings. Thes
[ read more ]
Seashells are harder than ceramics and can be printed by your desktop 3D printer?
September 13, 2015 | tension | Comments (0)
For example, an abalone shell is stronger than high-tech ceramics because of its internal structure. Diatom shells are made of silica (glass), but they are extremely strong because of their stress-distributing pattern of holes. Like nature, 3-D printers can excel at building complex structures fr
[ read more ]
scorpion "skin" for more abrasion resistance
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
A species of North African scorpion does not mind getting sand blasted or whipped by desert winds. While other desert creatures burrow downward for protection, the scorpion scurries in the open and withstands abrasion. Studies reveal that its surface is covered with many hardened, dome-shaped bumps
[ read more ]
Wild animals (macrosystem) show the same behavior like electrons (microsystem)
September 13, 2015 | flexible cover | Comments (0)
The search for a solution led McRae, now a biologist at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, to his past life as an electrical engineer. He had a hunch that the way animals travel through a landscape might be similar to how electricity moves across circuits. If that were the c
[ read more ]
Spider Web Glass
September 13, 2015 | use colors | Comments (0)
Certain spiders protect their delicately crafted insect nets with a special silk rope that reflects ultraviolet rays. Birds can see the ultraviolet rays and recognize the webs as obstacles they should avoid. If engineers can reproduce the effect, it might save birds from their occasional acci
[ read more ]
will our lungs help to reduce carbon dioxid emissions on our planet?
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Our hard-working lungs clearly show intelligent planning. Within our lungs, countless tiny air sacks called alveoli exchange gases from the bloodstream, supplying fresh oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. The component membranes which allow separation and passage of the gases are about one thousand
[ read more ]
ultrathin insulation for buildings inspired by the polar bear
September 13, 2015 | temperature | Comments (0)
Mimicking polar bear fur, which is able to insulate the animal's body to temperatures of 98.6° F (37° C) when outside temperatures get as low as -40° F (-40° C) could lead to better building insulation Technical application: ultrathin insulation Bionic application: pol
[ read more ]
inspired by a tree: bypassing problems will make complex systems more fail-safe
September 13, 2015 | separating | Comments (0)
Look closely at many tree and plant leaves and you will see an intricate network of veins. Besides the channels branching outward from a central stem, you may also notice many smaller veins in random directions, connecting with each other in closed loops. This complex arrangement is unlike the simpl
[ read more ]
ultra-small lab equipment based on Bladderworts roots
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
One of the smallest traps in the world is inspiring physicists in studies of fluids. Bladderworts are a type of plant that grows in standing water or wet soil, and sometimes in very rough conditions. A unique aspect of this plant is its underwater roots which include many microscopic bladder-like t
[ read more ]
Bees manage the grid
September 13, 2015 | swarm intelligence | Comments (0)
REGEN Energy is a technology company, founded on the basis of biomimicry, whose founders set out to transform the energy efficiency landscape and develop a sophisticated new energy management technology based on the communication patterns of honeybees. Technical application: organize com
[ read more ]
bionic penguin as diving robot
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
‘Nature demonstrates how maximum performance can be achieved with minimum energy consumption,’ a Festo spokesman said. “The life-size bionic birds are hydrodynamic and can turn like real penguins because of the flexible glass fibre rods that control their heads. Technical application: su
[ read more ]
NEW VDI-guideline for bionic structure optimization in the context of a holistic product development process
September 13, 2015 | brainwave | Comments (0)
There are several VDI guidelines about bionic related topics on the VDI-webpage. The Papers are: VDI 6220 Blatt 1 Biomimetics - Conception and strategy - Differences between biomimetic and conventional methods/products VDI 6221 Blatt 1 Biomimetics - Biomimetic surfaces VDI 6222 Bla
[ read more ]
inspired by a tree: bypassing problems will make complex systems more fail-safe
September 13, 2015 | separating | Comments (0)
Look closely at many tree and plant leaves and you will see an intricate network of veins. Besides the channels branching outward from a central stem, you may also notice many smaller veins in random directions, connecting with each other in closed loops. This complex arrangement is unlike the simpl
[ read more ]
Honeycomb for stiff constructions
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Honeycomb structures are natural or man-made structures that have the geometry of a honeycomb to allow the minimization of the amount of used material to reach minimal weight and minimal material cost. Technical application: composit materials, low weight constructions Bionic applicatio
[ read more ]
Flying with Algae
September 13, 2015 | power | Comments (0)
Jülich, 16 May 2014 – A global society and a functioning world economy would not be conceivable without mobility. An important role is played by the aviation industry, which needs solutions for sustainable fuel in the near future. The AUFWIND project investigates algae production and conversion t
[ read more ]
lizard tail for stabilizers
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Lizards are some of the most versatile animals on the planet. Geckoes for example can climb straight up walls, even across glass ceilings upside down. Their feet have been studied to learn how to make better adhesives. Now, lizards are the subject of a new investigation which includes the dinosaurs.
[ read more ]
eye-lens camera contact lens and monitoring your body for health purposes
September 13, 2015 | separating | Comments (0)
First watch the video below! Cameras have long mimicked the optics of the eye. Both collect and focus light with a convex outer lens. However, cameras have a shortcoming: They typically focus the image onto a flat surface. Whether this surface is covered with film or a digital sensor, distortio
[ read more ]
Shark´s skin make us faster
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Technical application: swim suit, clean surfaces, glue this foil on airplanes, small riffles will cause turbulance and degrease friction. Bionic application: shark skin, plankton, insects wing Further description: Electron micr
[ read more ]
Gecko feet for car tires
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Using design principles inspired by the nanoscopic hairs on the gecko, UC Berkeley researchers and colleagues have created a novel microfiber array which has very high friction but is not ``sticky''. Technical application: car tires, drive on solar panels Bionic
[ read more ]
Razor Clam - Anchor
September 13, 2015 | wet instead of dry | Comments (0)
The razor clam has a long narrow shell, somewhat resembling an old-fashioned straight razor. The shells also have a sharp edge. The clam is hunted for food in exposed mudflats along the ocean shoreline. Its defense against people and predators is an impressive ability to burrow underground rapidly
[ read more ]
Festo´s world of bionic solutions
September 13, 2015 | swarm intelligence | Comments (0)
Festo has been working intensively on the topic of bionics since the early 90s. In 2006, the Bionic Learning Network was launched – an association of renowned universities, institutes and development companies. Since this time, Festo has been developing and supporting projects and test objects who
[ read more ]
sugar for Vaccines conservation
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
Nova’s stabilisation platforms are based on a sugar-glass stabilization concept. The inspiration for this technology arose from observations of anhydrobiotic organisms, such as the Resurrection Plant (Selaginella lepidophylla), which can protect themselves from extreme desiccation. Such organisms
[ read more ]
Dolphin-Monofin
September 13, 2015 | speed | Comments (0)
Many sea creatures including dolphins, porpoises, and whales have a tail structure that results in impressive bursts of speed. Their tail fin, called a fluke, is waved back and forth to provide forward motion. Meanwhile, the pectoral and dorsal fins provide directional stability. Dolphins reach spee
[ read more ]
Ice-free roads caused by sugar?
September 13, 2015 | pre drawing effect | Comments (0)
Sugar beets provide 30 percent of the world’s sugar. At refineries, the sugar is extracted and a liquid residue remains. In the upper Midwest, it was noticed that this residue, placed in holding ponds, did not freeze under wintry conditions. Chemical studies reveal a natural antifreeze chemical i
[ read more ]
Fluid wood instead of plastic for incredible structures
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Arboform acts a lot like any other petroleum-based plastic to a manufacturer. It can be injection-molded as a heated liquid to form any shape. But Arboform is not made of petroleum. Instead, it is made of “Lignin, combined with resins, flax and other natural fibers” as described in this article:
[ read more ]
Cat's Claw - Safety Thumbtack
September 13, 2015 | self service | Comments (0)
Many of us remember the misfortune of stepping on a thumbtack, sitting on a tack (!), or reaching into a box of thumbtacks and getting pricked. New York design engineer Toshi Fukaya has now found a simple solution to the painful problem. Technical application: spike, tires, grip app
[ read more ]
your phone, inspired by yourself
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
The eardrum is a marvel of engineering. As thin as tissue paper, it vibrates in response to the slightest changes in air pressure. If the eardrum surface moves inward a distance equal to the diameter of a single atom, one hundred millionth of a centimeter, a distinct sound is perceived. Clearly, a
[ read more ]
Fuel-cell powered by rust?
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
In the quest for the production of renewable and clean energy, photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) constitute a sort of a Holy Grail. Technical application: power train for cars or other vehicles Bionic application: Further description: Physical effects applied: Video: htt
[ read more ]
Alga drive hydrogen vehicles
September 13, 2015 | power | Comments (0)
The biological hydrogen production with algae is a method of photobiological water splitting which is done in a closed photobioreactor based on the production of hydrogen as a solar fuel by algae. Technical application: propellent for cars Bionic application: Further description:
[ read more ]
Dolphines help to indicate tsunami
September 13, 2015 | periodical action | Comments (0)
A tsunami is an ocean disturbance resulting from seismic movement of the sea floor. A wave results and moves across the ocean surface at hundreds of miles per hour. In deep water the passing wave may be only a foot or less in height. Approaching the shallow shoreline, however, the wave becomes larg
[ read more ]
Hook fastener with up to 35 tonns / m²
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
Hook and loop fasteners have become commonplace features of both industry and households. These fasteners are resistant to chemicals and can withstand a tensile load of up to 35 tonnes per square meter at temperatures as high as 800°C. Technical application: Metaklett is basi
[ read more ]
Cellulose with 7500N/mm² is stronger than Kevlar (R)
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
The Forest Products Laboratory of the US Forest Service has opened a US$1.7 million pilot plant for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from wood by-products materials such as wood chips and sawdust. Technical application: substitute for steel or kevlar Bionic appli
[ read more ]
Gecko feet for car tires
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Using design principles inspired by the nanoscopic hairs on the gecko, UC Berkeley researchers and colleagues have created a novel microfiber array which has very high friction but is not ``sticky''. Technical application: car tires, drive on solar panels Bionic
[ read more ]
Salt-Nano wire for high speed data transfer
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
We are all familiar with table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl). This essential, common compound is ordinarily crystalline and brittle in nature. However, many materials behave strangely on the scale of minute quantities, and salt is no exception. Researchers at Boston College have explored tiny sal
[ read more ]
Seashells are harder than ceramics and can be printed by your desktop 3D printer?
September 13, 2015 | tension | Comments (0)
For example, an abalone shell is stronger than high-tech ceramics because of its internal structure. Diatom shells are made of silica (glass), but they are extremely strong because of their stress-distributing pattern of holes. Like nature, 3-D printers can excel at building complex structures fr
[ read more ]
tree frog climb wet and dirty surfaces as well as upside down surfaces without falling
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Here is an activity to try with a length of adhesive tape. Press the tape against a dusty surface several times. As expected, the tape quickly loses its holding strength as dust particles collect and coat the sticky side. In contrast, consider tree frogs which thrive in dusty, wet, or muddy surround
[ read more ]
Zebrafish - Spine Repair
September 13, 2015 | self service | Comments (0)
Injuries to the spine are some of the most serious challenges in medicine. We are all familiar with the tragedy of paralysis which may result from spinal trauma. In mammals, including people, a protective mechanism results in an unfavorable side effect to spinal trauma. Following an injury, cell
[ read more ]
early bionic inspiration: the study of leg bones leads to the Eiffel Tower
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
An international exhibition took place in Paris in 1889, the early counterpart of today’s World’s Fairs. During the planning stage there was competition between architects for new structures to commemorate the grand event. One French engineer, Gustave (Gustavo) Eiffel (1832-1923), went to an unu
[ read more ]
Use water as a memory storage for computers?
September 13, 2015 | shape | Comments (0)
At first, we strenuously observed crystals of tap water, river water, and lake water. From the tap water we could not get any beautiful crystals. We could not get any beautiful ones from rivers and lakes near big cities, either. Technical application: memory storage, health care applications
[ read more ]
DNA will rule Mass-Data-Storage
September 13, 2015 | occurs when necessary | Comments (0)
DNA is a complex biomolecule which is embedded in the cells of all living organisms. DNA consists of two intertwined chains of simpler molecules. The arrangement of these units serves as a blueprint or recipe for the structure and internal activity of plants, animals, and people. Life is incredibl
[ read more ]
ultra-small lab equipment based on Bladderworts roots
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
One of the smallest traps in the world is inspiring physicists in studies of fluids. Bladderworts are a type of plant that grows in standing water or wet soil, and sometimes in very rough conditions. A unique aspect of this plant is its underwater roots which include many microscopic bladder-like t
[ read more ]
beaver teeths for sharp cutting-tools
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
German engineers have applied the tooth sharpening ability of rodents to cutting tools. Beavers, rats, rabbits and similar rodents depend on their teeth for survival. They are experts at gnawing, and their teeth are designed with a self-sharpening ability. Unlike our own, rodent teeth are covered
[ read more ]
dog paw inspires for shoes
September 13, 2015 | segmentation | Comments (0)
In 1935, inventor Paul Sperry sought a solution to a problem encountered in his hobby of sailing off the shore of New England. Whenever the boat deck became wet, it was slippery and dangerous. One winter day during a walk, he noticed that his cocker spaniel remained surefooted, even on slippery side
[ read more ]
use liana or an air-beam to conquer long distances
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Tensairity® is a revolutionary light weight beam element developed by Airlight Ldt. The synergetic combination of an airbeam, cables and struts leads to this extraordinary light weight structure, using very low internal pressure but with the load bearing capacity of conventional steel girders.
[ read more ]
cavitation
September 13, 2015 | Cavitation | Comments (0)
Cavitation is the formation of vapour cavities in a liquid – i.e. small liquid-free zones ("bubbles" or "voids") – that are the consequence of forces acting upon the liquid. It usually occurs when a liquid is subjected to rapid changes of pressure that cause the formation of cavities where the p
[ read more ]
bionic penguin as diving robot
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
‘Nature demonstrates how maximum performance can be achieved with minimum energy consumption,’ a Festo spokesman said. “The life-size bionic birds are hydrodynamic and can turn like real penguins because of the flexible glass fibre rods that control their heads. Technical application: su
[ read more ]
Sea Cucumber-Brain Implant
September 13, 2015 | occurs when necessary | Comments (0)
Sea cucumbers are found on the floor of all the world’s oceans. Their tubular shape resembles a cucumber taken from the garden. The animals frequent shallow coastal waters and are also found in the deepest ocean. Sea cucumbers, also called sea slugs, are colorful occupants of many salt water aquar
[ read more ]
Alga drive hydrogen vehicles
September 13, 2015 | power | Comments (0)
The biological hydrogen production with algae is a method of photobiological water splitting which is done in a closed photobioreactor based on the production of hydrogen as a solar fuel by algae. Technical application: propellent for cars Bionic application: Further description:
[ read more ]
bio-inspired spring to reach your tall targets
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
It has long been known that many climbing plants produce unusual tendrils for grasping and climbing. When stretched tightly, the spiral-shaped fibers do not unwind to a flat ribbon like a typical spring shape such as a telephone cord. Instead, when stretched, sections of the fiber coil further in t
[ read more ]
future glass will withstand the impact of a baseball
September 13, 2015 | stability | Comments (0)
How do sea shells stay in one piece as they are buffeted constantly by strong currents and waves? After all, most shells consist of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) which is a brittle and relatively weak material. Calcium carbonate takes many forms including marble, limestone, and chalk. One secret of s
[ read more ]
Building based on mechanical stiffness of sea-sponges
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
The Euplectella aspergillum is a cylindrical sponge that lives intropical waters. It has a height of 45 cm. Its exoskeleton consists of hydrated, amorphous silicon dioxide organized into a complexnetwork of spicules that supports the structure. These fibres, whichare 5-10 cm long and as thin as a
[ read more ]
Desert beatle help us to harvest water
September 13, 2015 | wet instead of dry | Comments (0)
To drink water, the S. gracilipes stands on a small ridge of sand using its long, spindly legs. Technical application: water bottles, tents for refugees, Steam Power Condensers, Refrigeration, Atmospheric Water Generation Bionic application: Further description: Physical effec
[ read more ]
Cat's Claw - Safety Thumbtack
September 13, 2015 | self service | Comments (0)
Many of us remember the misfortune of stepping on a thumbtack, sitting on a tack (!), or reaching into a box of thumbtacks and getting pricked. New York design engineer Toshi Fukaya has now found a simple solution to the painful problem. Technical application: spike, tires, grip app
[ read more ]
scorpion "skin" for more abrasion resistance
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
A species of North African scorpion does not mind getting sand blasted or whipped by desert winds. While other desert creatures burrow downward for protection, the scorpion scurries in the open and withstands abrasion. Studies reveal that its surface is covered with many hardened, dome-shaped bumps
[ read more ]
Wild animals (macrosystem) show the same behavior like electrons (microsystem)
September 13, 2015 | flexible cover | Comments (0)
The search for a solution led McRae, now a biologist at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, to his past life as an electrical engineer. He had a hunch that the way animals travel through a landscape might be similar to how electricity moves across circuits. If that were the c
[ read more ]
dog paw inspires for shoes
September 13, 2015 | segmentation | Comments (0)
In 1935, inventor Paul Sperry sought a solution to a problem encountered in his hobby of sailing off the shore of New England. Whenever the boat deck became wet, it was slippery and dangerous. One winter day during a walk, he noticed that his cocker spaniel remained surefooted, even on slippery side
[ read more ]
Building based on mechanical stiffness of sea-sponges
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
The Euplectella aspergillum is a cylindrical sponge that lives intropical waters. It has a height of 45 cm. Its exoskeleton consists of hydrated, amorphous silicon dioxide organized into a complexnetwork of spicules that supports the structure. These fibres, whichare 5-10 cm long and as thin as a
[ read more ]
Building based on mechanical stiffness of sea-sponges
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
The Euplectella aspergillum is a cylindrical sponge that lives intropical waters. It has a height of 45 cm. Its exoskeleton consists of hydrated, amorphous silicon dioxide organized into a complexnetwork of spicules that supports the structure. These fibres, whichare 5-10 cm long and as thin as a
[ read more ]
Leave inspire for more flexible robots, grabbers and operation tools
September 13, 2015 | shape | Comments (0)
Many plant blossoms open and close on a daily schedule and slowly follow the sun across the sky. Other plants display more vigorous behavior. The small leaves fold inward in just seconds and then slowly reopen. The active plant grows worldwide and the Latin term pudica means shy, bashful, or shrin
[ read more ]
sea-mouse inspired wire for micro circuits
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
The sea mouse lives at the bottom of northern seas. Actually a worm, the creature’s name results from its furry appearance. The size of a thumb, the sea mouse is covered with many thousands of crystalline fibers called setae. These strands shimmer with iridescent colors as they reflect sunlight wh
[ read more ]
airtight and flexible, the Arampaima skin
September 13, 2015 | tension | Comments (0)
Brazil's Amazon waterways are home to the feared piranha. The razor-like teeth of these aggressive fish make quick work of most prey. However, large Arapaima fish share space with piranha, even in crowded ponds. Arapaima are one of the largest freshwater fish, reaching 300 pounds and a length of 8 f
[ read more ]
use liana or an air-beam to conquer long distances
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Tensairity® is a revolutionary light weight beam element developed by Airlight Ldt. The synergetic combination of an airbeam, cables and struts leads to this extraordinary light weight structure, using very low internal pressure but with the load bearing capacity of conventional steel girders.
[ read more ]
Leave inspire for more flexible robots, grabbers and operation tools
September 13, 2015 | shape | Comments (0)
Many plant blossoms open and close on a daily schedule and slowly follow the sun across the sky. Other plants display more vigorous behavior. The small leaves fold inward in just seconds and then slowly reopen. The active plant grows worldwide and the Latin term pudica means shy, bashful, or shrin
[ read more ]
Self healing materials
September 13, 2015 | self service | Comments (0)
Many processes in organisms based on the self-organization of biological components. For materials scientists, such substances are a dream: you react autonomously to their environment and can adapt to this different conditions. At the U.S. MIT researchers aim to produce such wonders molecules artifi
[ read more ]
future glass will withstand the impact of a baseball
September 13, 2015 | stability | Comments (0)
How do sea shells stay in one piece as they are buffeted constantly by strong currents and waves? After all, most shells consist of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) which is a brittle and relatively weak material. Calcium carbonate takes many forms including marble, limestone, and chalk. One secret of s
[ read more ]
Human climbing with efficiently scaled gecko-inspired dry adhesives
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
We present a mechanical concept which improves upon the gecko's non-uniform load-sharing and results in a nearly even load distribution over multiple patches of gecko-inspired adhesive. Since the discovery of the mechanism of adhesion in geckos, many synthetic dry adhesives have been developed wi
[ read more ]
Miracle Tree helps to get clean Water for a cheap price
September 13, 2015 | self service | Comments (0)
In today’s world more than one billion people lack access to clean drinking water. This leads to untold suffering and death from dysentery, typhoid, and other diseases associated with contaminated water sources. Children are especially victims of unsafe water. One solution to this serious problem
[ read more ]
lizard tail for stabilizers
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Lizards are some of the most versatile animals on the planet. Geckoes for example can climb straight up walls, even across glass ceilings upside down. Their feet have been studied to learn how to make better adhesives. Now, lizards are the subject of a new investigation which includes the dinosaurs.
[ read more ]
Hook fastener with up to 35 tonns / m²
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
Hook and loop fasteners have become commonplace features of both industry and households. These fasteners are resistant to chemicals and can withstand a tensile load of up to 35 tonnes per square meter at temperatures as high as 800°C. Technical application: Metaklett is basi
[ read more ]
Salt-Nano wire for high speed data transfer
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
We are all familiar with table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl). This essential, common compound is ordinarily crystalline and brittle in nature. However, many materials behave strangely on the scale of minute quantities, and salt is no exception. Researchers at Boston College have explored tiny sal
[ read more ]
gecko feet sticks by the force of electricity
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Electronic circuits typically constructed on very thin silicon surfaces. Now, suppose that we want to transfer such a circuit unto a non-flat surface such as cloth or leather. Circuits are fragile and any surface contact during movement can be destructive. Researchers at Northwestern University and
[ read more ]
stegosaurus plates for innovative wind-turbines
September 13, 2015 | up/down lift | Comments (0)
Thousands of wind turbines have been installed worldwide in recent years for the production of clean electric energy. Efforts continue to make the large turbines efficient and quiet. One successful modification of existing turbine blades is inspired by the stegosaur. Technical applicat
[ read more ]
Sand fish might help rescue teams
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
The sandfish is a species of skink that burrows into the sand and swims through it. Technical application: reduce friction, might help rescue teams to "dive" into collapsed buildings Bionic application: Further description: Physical effects applied: Video: Cont
[ read more ]
porcupines inspire for medical applications and wound healing
September 13, 2015 | shape | Comments (0)
North American porcupines are well known for their unusual defense. An adult is coated with perhaps 30,000 needle-like hairs. An unfortunate dog that gets too close may find its nose resembling a pin cushion. Furthermore, the needles are not easy to remove. They are coated with microscopic, flexibl
[ read more ]
Dromedary inspires for seawater-salt removal
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
The dromedary camel is at home in the hot Sahara Desert where temperatures can exceed 170°F (77°C). Special features of the camel’s nose allow it conserve precious moisture with each breath. Technical application: seawater-salt removal, desert greening
[ read more ]
early bionic inspiration: the study of leg bones leads to the Eiffel Tower
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
An international exhibition took place in Paris in 1889, the early counterpart of today’s World’s Fairs. During the planning stage there was competition between architects for new structures to commemorate the grand event. One French engineer, Gustave (Gustavo) Eiffel (1832-1923), went to an unu
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a much more efficient impellent for submarines
September 13, 2015 | speed | Comments (0)
A researcher at Caltech is developing new ways to power submarines and windmills using the lowly jellyfish. Jellyfish have a unique method of swimming through ocean water. Rather than using fins and flippers, they “pump” their body to produce ring-shaped pulses of water called vortex rings. Thes
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Desert beatle help us to harvest water
September 13, 2015 | wet instead of dry | Comments (0)
To drink water, the S. gracilipes stands on a small ridge of sand using its long, spindly legs. Technical application: water bottles, tents for refugees, Steam Power Condensers, Refrigeration, Atmospheric Water Generation Bionic application: Further description: Physical effec
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Dolphines help to indicate tsunami
September 13, 2015 | periodical action | Comments (0)
A tsunami is an ocean disturbance resulting from seismic movement of the sea floor. A wave results and moves across the ocean surface at hundreds of miles per hour. In deep water the passing wave may be only a foot or less in height. Approaching the shallow shoreline, however, the wave becomes larg
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Nature's Water Filter
September 13, 2015 | separating | Comments (0)
The 2003 Nobel Prize was awarded in part to Peter Agre of Johns Hopkins for his discovery, around 1990, of a membrane protein that allows water to pass through cell walls. The discovery of aquaporin solved a longtime problem in biochemistry. Technical application: water filters Bionic a
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Salt-Nano wire for high speed data transfer
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
We are all familiar with table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl). This essential, common compound is ordinarily crystalline and brittle in nature. However, many materials behave strangely on the scale of minute quantities, and salt is no exception. Researchers at Boston College have explored tiny sal
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Leaves learn us how to produce electricity and harvest water
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the leaves of plants and trees. The undersides of leaves are dotted with hundreds of tiny openings called stoma. Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through these pores, and water escapes. A mature tree may evaporate hundreds of gallons of water on a warm,
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Seashells are harder than ceramics and can be printed by your desktop 3D printer?
September 13, 2015 | tension | Comments (0)
For example, an abalone shell is stronger than high-tech ceramics because of its internal structure. Diatom shells are made of silica (glass), but they are extremely strong because of their stress-distributing pattern of holes. Like nature, 3-D printers can excel at building complex structures fr
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Pilot Whale for a Self-cleaning Ship Hull and safe of fuel costs
September 13, 2015 | wet instead of dry | Comments (0)
Long-finned pilot whales swim in cool regions of the oceans. They grow to 12-16 feet in length and weigh several tons. The whales are characterized by an enlarged forehead and a swimming behavior similar to dolphins. The creatures are found to have highly-specialized apparatus for maintaining smoot
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Fluid wood instead of plastic for incredible structures
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Arboform acts a lot like any other petroleum-based plastic to a manufacturer. It can be injection-molded as a heated liquid to form any shape. But Arboform is not made of petroleum. Instead, it is made of “Lignin, combined with resins, flax and other natural fibers” as described in this article:
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lizard tail for stabilizers
September 13, 2015 | weight | Comments (0)
Lizards are some of the most versatile animals on the planet. Geckoes for example can climb straight up walls, even across glass ceilings upside down. Their feet have been studied to learn how to make better adhesives. Now, lizards are the subject of a new investigation which includes the dinosaurs.
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Shark´s skin make us faster
September 13, 2015 | surface | Comments (0)
Technical application: swim suit, clean surfaces, glue this foil on airplanes, small riffles will cause turbulance and degrease friction. Bionic application: shark skin, plankton, insects wing Further description: Electron micr
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Ice-free roads caused by sugar?
September 13, 2015 | pre drawing effect | Comments (0)
Sugar beets provide 30 percent of the world’s sugar. At refineries, the sugar is extracted and a liquid residue remains. In the upper Midwest, it was noticed that this residue, placed in holding ponds, did not freeze under wintry conditions. Chemical studies reveal a natural antifreeze chemical i
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sugar for Vaccines conservation
September 13, 2015 | transmitter | Comments (0)
Nova’s stabilisation platforms are based on a sugar-glass stabilization concept. The inspiration for this technology arose from observations of anhydrobiotic organisms, such as the Resurrection Plant (Selaginella lepidophylla), which can protect themselves from extreme desiccation. Such organisms
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A World of Solutions: The U.N. Climate Sequel
A week after the short film What’s Possible opened the U.N. Climate Summit, Lyn Lear and director Louie Schwartzberg are back with a sequel that expands on their vision for climate change solutions.
curie point
In physics and materials science, the Curie temperature (Tc), or Curie point, is the temperature where a material’s permanent magnetism changes to induced magnetism. The force of magnetism is determined by magnetic moments.
The Curie temperature is the critical point where a material’s intrinsic magnetic moments change direction.
shoals of fish will offer their secret for windfarms
Wind turbines are the Colossus of the modern landscape, their blades sweeping circles more than a football field in diameter. Critics call them unsightly and say that the rotating blades clobber unsuspecting birds.
John Dabiri of Caltech found a solution underwater. He built an experimental wind farm — the Caltech Field Laboratory for Optimized Wind Energy (FLOWE) — in which the location of turbines relative to each other takes advantage of the air flow among them.
Technical application:
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