Articles tagged with: ‘biomimicry‘
Bionics, Robotics, Tech »
Stickybot gecko-like robot climbs vertical surfaces
Gecko’s foot ability to stick to many surfaces, including glass, has been inspiring scientists to mimic that ability in other to make dry adhesive materials and robots able to walk up various materials. A group of scientists from Stanford University are developing such a robot which is fittingly named Stickybot…. »
Bionics, Tech »
Future applications of synthetic silk and challenges that remain
Natural silk, fibers made by spiders and silkworms, is a material that is tougher than kevlar or steel, yet remarkably flexible. In recent years, researchers have worked to gain a better understanding of what silk is and how it’s made, with the goal of being able to consistently replicate and… »
Bionics, Robotics, Tech »
Biomimicry of honeybee eye could improve robotic vision
The capabilities and behavior of bees have inspired scientists in various fields as swarm movement and cooperation. Neurobiologists from Bielefeld University, Germany, have been researching the computational mechanisms that allow the nervous system to extract behaviorally relevant information from the retinal input and to use this information in behavioral control.
In… »
Bionics, Robotics, Tech »
Gut movements in caterpillars have impact on robotic design
Weird movements in the abdomens of freely crawling caterpillars are making headlines in the fields of biology and engineering. The findings from a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including Jake Socha, Virginia Tech assistant professor of engineering science and mechanics, Michael Simon of Tufts University’s Department of Biology, and Barry Trimmer,… »
Bionics, Robotics »
Insects biomimicry for robots that hop, jump and stick
We already wrote several articles regarding swarm robotics because it is offering innovative solutions to real-world problems by creating a new form of artificial intelligence based biomimicry of insect-like instincts. Mirko Kovac, from EPFL’s Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, is a robotics engineer who has already made leaps forward in the… »
Bionics, Robotics, Tech »
Sandfish lizard motion biomimicry used for robot development
To survive in its hot habitat, the sandfish lizard (Scincus scincus), like other desert-dwelling creatures, spends a lot of time underground. Unlike other creatures that live in burrows or sand traps, this lizard moves over and through the sand in its own unique way. That movement intrigued researchers and inspired… »
Bionics, Tech »
Biomimicry of nature used for creation of protein nanofabrics
Cells and tissues assemble and organize themselves within a matrix of protein fibers that ultimately determines their structure and function, such as the elasticity of skin and the contractility of heart tissue. These natural design principles have now been successfully replicated in the lab by bioengineers at the Wyss Institute… »
Bionics, Tech »
Biomimicry of butterfly wing scale structure could cut bank fraud
Cambridge scientists have discovered a way of mimicking the vivid and beautiful colors found on the wings of tropical butterflies in order to lessen the frauds in the future and enhance the security in the printing industry. The findings could find important applications in the security printing industry, helping to… »
Bionics, Tech »
Bat biosonar biomimicry for improved sonar technology
Comparable to some other animals on our planet, bats use other methods instead sight in order to navigate or hunt. They are able to “see” in the dark by sending out sound waves that bounce back to the bats’ ears from objects such as fruit on trees and flying insect… »
Bionics, Tech »
Moths inspire perfectly non-reflecting surfaces for displays
Inspired by moths, the research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, Freiburg, developed a new nanocoating that ensures a perfectly non-reflecting view on displays and through eyeglasses. The necessary surface structure is applied to the polymeric parts during manufacture, obviating the need for a separate process… »