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Biomimicry News And Research - November 2009 Archives
 | John Currey from York University explains that it is almost impossible to make materials that are tough yet stiff: stiff materials tend to break easily and cannot absorb impacts. But not so dry deer antlers. Surviving impacts that are six times greater than crashes that shatter wet femur, deer antler is stiff enough to endure the dueling animals' pushing contests and could teach us how to make stiff, yet tough, materials. ...> Full Article |
 | Applied mathematicians dissected the morphology of the plantain lily, a characteristic long leaf with a saddle-like arc midsection and closely packed ripples along the edges. The simple cause of the lily's fan-like shape -- elastic relaxation resulting from bending during differential growth -- was revealed by using an equally simple technique, stretching foam ribbons. ...> Full Article |
 | In their natural form, conch pearls are among the rarest pearls in the world. For more than 25 years, all attempts at culturing pearls from the queen conch have been unsuccessful -- until now. For the first time, novel and proprietary seeding techniques to produce beaded and nonbeaded high-quality cultured pearls from the queen conch have been developed by scientists from FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. ...> Full Article |
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Fish can recognize a face based on UV pattern alone
Ancient DNA from rare fossil reveals that polar bears evolved recently and adapted quickly
'Anaconda' meets 'Jurassic Park': Study shows ancient snakes ate dinosaur babies
Scientists locate apparent hydrothermal vents off Antarctica
Mars Express heading for closest flyby of Phobos
Predicting the fate of stem cells
Artificial foot recycles energy for easier walking
New fiber nanogenerators could lead to electric clothing
What drives our genes? Researchers map the first complete human epigenome
Juggling enhances connections in the brain
Tracking down the human 'odorprint'
Fill 'er up - with algae
Scientists discover quantum fingerprints of chaos
Researchers help identify cows that gain more while eating less
Strength is shore thing for sea shell scientists
Mussels - material artists with grip
Artificial bee silk a big step closer to reality
Glue, fly, glue
Gecko's lessons transfer well
Mussel-inspired 'glue' for fetal membrane repair
Slime design mimics Tokyo's rail system
Unusual snail shell could be a model for better armor
Cockroaches offer inspiration for running robots
Dental delight: Tooth of sea urchin shows formation of biominerals
Copying mother nature's designs
Tough yet stiff deer antler is materials scientist's dream
The cause behind the characteristic shape of a long leaf revealed
Scientists are first to 'unlock' the mystery of creating cultured pearls from the queen conch
Mushrooms, water-repellants more similar than you might think