The humble jellyfish has inspired yet another material advancement: a waterproof, self-healing skin.…
biomimicry
Meet the engineer using rats to teach robots how to find their way
Humans have often looked to nature to build better machines. Professor Michael Milford discusses what path-finding robots can learn from the experts in this subject: rats.…
‘Morphing’ gull-like wings could help drones soar farther
Canadian engineers and zoologists are working together to understand how gulls can change the shape of their wings to stabilise flight, with a view to designing super-efficient drones that can stay in…
These artificial leaves could one day transform any building into green infrastructure
Design engineer Julian Melchiorri wants his technology to do what plants can – and his green thinking has led to some inspiring creations.…
Ant venom might help take the sting out of pain
Giant red bull ants are infamous for their excruciating sting, but a team of Australian researchers thinks their venom holds the key to chronic pain relief.…
The world’s most used synthetic material is getting a makeover
A team of civil and materials engineers has developed micron-sized calcium silicate spheres they say could lead to stronger and greener concrete.…
Lizard tails could help robots get moving in rough terrain
An international research team has studied the motion of bipedal lizards, with a view to helping robots get a foothold in inhospitable environments.…
Bio-inspired hydrogels could shape the future of soft robots
Inspired by the movements of stingrays, engineers have created programmable hydrogels that can form into 3D shapes and potentially move through space.…
New 3D printing techniques bring bionic eyes “closer than ever”
Researchers have 3D printed light receptors onto a hemispherical surface for the first time, a significant step towards making bionic eyes a reality.…
These tiny ‘cockroach’ robots could be the future of engine maintenance
Cockroaches are fast and nearly invincible, which makes them terrifying to most people. But those qualities are perfect inspiration for a swarm of engine-maintenance robots.…