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Computation, 3D printing, and testing of bone-inspired composites

By Damir Beciri
One Comment25 June 2013

mit-3d-printed-oysterResearchers at MIT have developed an approach that allows them to create physical sample of a multiscale computer model of a synthetic material. The approach allows creation of complex hierarchical patterns such as bones. The process could be scaled up to provide a cost-effective way to manufacture composite materials that are tailored for specific functions… »

Bionics»

Managing plants’ ‘internal clocks’ postharvest could have health benefits

By Maja Bosanac
23 June 2013

veggie-looperResearchers at the Rice University and the University of California at Davis have found that managing the circadian clocks of harvested fruits and vegetables could increase their health benefits. Namely, these produces in grocery stores are still alive and know what time it is. This research suggests that the way produce is stored and eaten… »

Bionics»

Vampire bat venom may lead to novel drug design

By Maja Bosanac
21 June 2013

desmodusResearchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) School Of Biological Sciences have discovered that vampire bat poison contains molecules capable of evading the victim’s immune system. This research not only contributes to the better understanding of haematophagous animals venoms but also provides a rich resource for novel compounds that could be used in drug design… »

Bionics»

Fluorescent protein from Unagi eel could revolutionize key clinical assay

By Damir Beciri
21 June 2013

glass-eel-picture-1Being high in protein, vitamin A, and calcium, unagi found its way to become culinary delicacy in Japan. This sea-going Japanese freshwater eel seen a worldwide decrease in population, and its research could contribute to its conservation as well as lead to unexpected ways to help save human lives by increasing sensitivity, accuracy and speed… »

Bionics| Robotics»

Cheetah-cub robot – light, fast, robust and affordable feline inspired platform

By Damir Beciri
20 June 2013

cheetahcub-1Researchers at the EPFL have developed a bioinspired robotic platform whose purpose is to encourage research in biomechanics. The four-legged “cheetah-cub robot” is small and light, and the design of legs, whose design faithfully reproduces feline morphology, make it fast and stable. Robots developed from this concept could eventually be used in search and rescue… »

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Producing biofuels with novel enzyme from wood-borer

By Maja Bosanac
19 June 2013

limnoria-punctataA group of researchers from the United Kingdom, the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the University of Kentucky have found and structurally characterized a novel cellulose-degrading enzyme from the marine wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata, commonly known as the gribble. This biomass-degrading enzyme could one day be used to create a more competitive… »

Bionics»

Medang tree provides key to greener chemistry

By Damir Beciri
18 June 2013

kingianin-1Researchers at the Research School of Chemistry of the Australian National University (RSC – ANU), Canberra, discovered that a rare tree found in Malaysia and Borneo holds the secret to greener chemical production. They managed to create a ten-step method which employs a new, environmentally friendly approach to replicate kingianins molecules found in the Medang… »

Bionics| Robotics»

Using thoughts to control a quadcopter in 3D space

By Damir Beciri
One Comment6 June 2013

bci-ar-drone-controlResearchers at the University of Minnesota managed to devise a way to use thoughts in order to control the movement of a four-blade helicopter, also known as a quadcopter. The research is conducted in hope the results could be used in systems of future robots that can help restore the autonomy of paralyzed victims or… »