Articles tagged with "biomimicry"
China's humanoid robot GrowHR floats, swims, flies, and walks on water
Researchers at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Shenzhen, China, have developed GrowHR, a soft humanoid robot inspired by human bone structures that can shapeshift, float, swim, fly, and walk on water. Weighing just 9.9 pounds (4.5 kilograms), GrowHR features linked structures capable of extending up to 315 percent in length and shrinking significantly to navigate confined spaces. Its design incorporates soft expandable chambers, tensioned cables, rigid adapters, and a nonstretchable textile layer to balance flexibility, strength, and stability. This allows the robot to nearly triple its height to 1.36 meters, crawl efficiently, and maintain balance during complex movements, demonstrating a level of adaptability and mobility beyond typical soft or rigid robots. GrowHR’s lightweight body enables it to perform diverse tasks such as floating, swimming, and even flying with the assistance of ducted fans or quadrotors, covering distances of several meters. It can walk on water
roboticshumanoid-robotsoft-roboticsadaptive-structuresbiomimicryGrowHRrobotics-innovationRobot bat finds insects in darkness with 98% accuracy, mirroring bats
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, University of Cincinnati, and University of Antwerp investigated how big-eared bats (Micronycteris microtis) detect silent insects on leaves at night using echolocation. Building on prior behavioral studies, they hypothesized that bats exploit the acoustic properties of leaves: smooth, empty leaves reflect echolocation calls away, producing weak echoes, while insects on leaves scatter sound in multiple directions, creating distinctive echoes. However, precisely measuring leaf orientation to find prey seemed impractical for bats. Instead, the researchers proposed that bats rely on the steadiness of echoes over time rather than detailed spatial mapping. To test this, the team created a robot equipped with ultrasonic sensors mimicking bat echolocation. The robot scanned an array of cardboard leaves, one holding a fake insect, without measuring leaf size or angle. It successfully identified prey-occupied leaves with 98% accuracy and had a low false detection rate (18%) on empty leaves. The findings confirmed that bats detect prey by
roboticsbiomimicryultrasonic-sensorsecholocation-technologyrobotic-sensingautonomous-robotsacoustic-detectionUS engineers develop 3D-printed robot wings inspired by grasshoppers
Researchers at Princeton University have developed insect-scale robotic wings inspired by the American grasshopper’s unique flight mechanics to address the high power consumption challenges faced by tiny flying robots. Unlike traditional micro-robots modeled after bees that rely on continuous, energy-intensive flapping flight, grasshoppers utilize a combination of jumping, flapping, and energy-efficient gliding. The team focused on the grasshopper’s hindwings, which feature a corrugated “accordion-style” structure that provides both the strength needed for flapping and the ability to fold compactly for ground mobility. High-resolution CT scans and fluid dynamics testing in water channels helped optimize 3D-printed wings that matched the flight efficiency of real grasshoppers. Interestingly, while natural grasshopper wings are corrugated, the researchers found that smooth wings actually glided more efficiently in their experiments, suggesting that the corrugations serve structural purposes such as wing folding rather than aerodynamic optimization. The next challenge for the team is to develop a mechanism for automatic wing
robotics3D-printingbiomimicrymicro-robotsenergy-efficiencyflight-mechanicsPrinceton-UniversityUni Stuttgart's Axel Körner builds the next generation of adaptive buildings
Axel Körner, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Stuttgart’s Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), has dedicated over a decade to advancing adaptive architecture by developing bio-inspired compliant mechanisms. These mechanisms replace traditional hinges and joints with flexible, material-driven motion, drawing inspiration from natural systems such as plants and insects. Körner’s work aims to create buildings that can move, flex, and adapt, enhancing their resilience and functionality. Notably, his 2017 project FlectoFold—a modular elastic-kinetic façade shading system—was inspired by the waterwheel plant’s closing mechanism. Building on this, his 2024 innovation, FlectoLine, incorporates rapid snap-trap motions from the same plant and folding patterns of the striped shield bug, resulting in a responsive, biomimetic shading system. Körner emphasizes that compliant mechanisms offer significant advantages in architecture by reducing mechanical complexity and increasing robustness, especially under challenging conditions like wind loads. Unlike conventional shading devices
materialsbiomimicryadaptive-architecturecompliant-mechanismsfiber-reinforced-plasticbio-inspired-designsustainable-building-materialsWhy a researcher is building robots that look and act like bats
Nitin J. Sanket, a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, is developing small, bat-inspired flying robots designed for search and rescue missions in hazardous or hard-to-navigate environments. These palm-sized drones use ultrasound sensors, similar to those in automatic faucets, combined with AI-powered software to filter noise and detect obstacles within a two-meter radius. The technology aims to replace human rescuers who currently risk their lives navigating difficult terrain on foot, offering a faster, more agile alternative through drones. Sanket’s approach draws heavily from biology, particularly bats’ echolocation abilities. The team addressed challenges such as sensor overload caused by drone propeller noise by designing a 3D-printed structure that mimics bats’ adaptive tissues in their nose and ears, which modulate sound reception and emission. This biomimicry allows the robots to effectively process ultrasonic signals despite environmental noise. Having achieved functional prototypes, the current focus is on improving the drones’ speed to enhance their operational effectiveness. Sanket emphasizes
robotdronesbiomimicrysearch-and-rescueultrasound-sensorsAIflying-robotsUS scientists make octopus' color-changing pigment using microbes
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have successfully produced large quantities of xanthommatin, a natural pigment responsible for the color-changing camouflage abilities of octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish. This breakthrough was achieved by engineering bacteria through a novel "growth-coupled biosynthesis" method, which links bacterial survival directly to pigment production, creating a self-sustaining loop that significantly boosts output. The team’s approach yields up to 1,000 times more pigment than traditional extraction methods, producing as much as three grams per liter compared to just a few milligrams previously. To further enhance production, the researchers employed robotics and machine learning to optimize the bacteria, demonstrating a new frontier in sustainable biomanufacturing driven by automation and computational design. Beyond cephalopods, xanthommatin is also found in insects, contributing to their vibrant colors, but has been difficult to study due to limited availability. This advancement not only provides a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel
materialsbiomimicrybiomanufacturingsynthetic-biologyautomationmachine-learningsustainable-productionHyundai Motor Group & Rhode Island School of Design Continue Partnership Exploring Advanced Biodesign and the Future of Mobility - CleanTechnica
Hyundai Motor Group and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) are continuing their sixth-year research partnership focused on the intersection of biodesign, biomimicry, advanced art and design practices, and the future of mobility. The collaboration centers on the 2025–26 theme of “Tangible Futures,” engaging RISD faculty, students, and Hyundai designers from Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia to explore innovative materials, manufacturing methods, products, services, and experiences that promote a more circular and sustainable relationship between humans and the planet. The Regeneration Studio at RISD’s Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab leads this initiative, combining scientific research with creative design to develop regenerative and human-centered mobility solutions inspired by nature. The partnership includes a comprehensive academic program featuring a fall biodesign studio, a spring advanced studio course, and an extended summer research opportunity with weeklong intensives and fellowships for Hyundai designers and engineers. These interdisciplinary courses foster collaboration between students, faculty, and Hyundai
materialssustainable-designbiodesignmobility-innovationHyundai-Motor-Groupbiomimicrycircular-economyMoth-inspired drone flies and hovers with insectlike precision
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a moth-inspired flapping-wing drone capable of hovering and tracking a moving light source with insectlike precision, without relying on artificial intelligence or GPS. Led by Assistant Professor Sameh Eisa, the project mimics the natural flight control of hovering insects, which maintain stability and orientation through constant fine adjustments. The drone uses an extremum-seeking feedback system—a simple, model-free, real-time control method—that enables it to optimize its position relative to a target by continuously measuring its own performance and making micro-adjustments to wing motions. This biologically inspired approach allows the drone to replicate the subtle swaying and agile maneuvers seen in moths, hummingbirds, and other hovering insects, despite having limited computational resources. The four-winged drone, constructed from wire and fabric, independently controls roll, pitch, and yaw through rapid wingbeats, which appear as a blur to the naked eye. The researchers suggest that this extremum-seeking feedback mechanism may explain
robotdronebiomimicryextremum-seeking-feedbackflapping-wing-dronereal-time-controlinsect-inspired-roboticsNew soft robot navigates land and water with 3 advanced senses
Chinese researchers from Guangdong University of Technology and Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University have developed an innovative 8-milligram soft robot inspired by ants and whirligig beetles that can navigate both land and water. Unlike most existing soft robots that respond to a single environmental trigger and operate in only one environment, this new robot integrates three advanced sensory responses—temperature, humidity, and magnetic fields—through a multi-layered composite film acting as an artificial muscle. This design overcomes previous challenges of signal interference by keeping the robot’s different responses separate, enabling coherent adaptation across dynamic boundaries between water and land. The robot’s structure consists of a triple-layer “sandwich”: a polyimide film chemically modified to be sensitive to temperature and humidity, bonded to a silicone rubber layer embedded with magnetic particles. It achieves speeds up to 9.6 cm/s on water, comparable to actual whirligig beetles, and uses a strong rolling gait controlled by rotating magnetic fields to traverse various terrains, including slopes
soft-roboticsamphibious-robotsartificial-musclemagnetic-sensorsenvironmental-sensingbiomimicryrobot-swarmsWoodpecker-inspired drone endures 70% head-on collisions impact
Researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a fixed-wing drone named SWIFT (Shockproof Woodpecker-Inspired Flying Tensegrity) that significantly improves collision resilience by mimicking the unique skull structure of woodpeckers. Woodpeckers endure repeated high-impact pecking without brain injury due to a combination of a rigid beak, a flexible hyoid bone wrapping around the skull, a spongy bone layer, and extra space around the brain that redirects impact forces. SWIFT replicates these features using tensegrity structures composed of carbon fiber rods, elastic cables, and plastic brackets to protect its electronic components, motor, and propeller by allowing them to move and absorb collision energy rather than transferring it directly. Beyond the fuselage, SWIFT’s wings incorporate a network of elastic cables and carbon fiber rods inspired by the shock-absorbing connective tissues in bird wing joints, reducing the risk of wing damage during impacts
robotdronebiomimicrycarbon-fibercollision-resilienceaerial-roboticstensegrity-structuresFalcon-inspired robot achieves bird-like takeoff with wing motion
Scientists in China have developed RoboFalcon2.0, a falcon-inspired flying robot that achieves bird-like takeoff through a novel flapping-sweeping-folding (FSF) wing motion. Unlike conventional robotic flyers that use fixed wings or rotors, RoboFalcon2.0 mimics the natural wing movements of birds by flapping, sweeping forward, and folding its wings in a coordinated rhythm. This reconfigurable wing system, enabled by mechanical decouplers and a lightweight frame, allows the robot to generate lift and control pitch effectively during takeoff. Wind tunnel tests and simulations demonstrated that sweeping the wings forward amplifies leading-edge vortices, enhancing lift and stabilizing pitch, which is critical for successful liftoff. Weighing 800 grams with a 1.2-meter wingspan, RoboFalcon2.0 captures the dynamics of small birds and replicates the high power consumption pattern observed in living birds during takeoff. Field tests confirmed smooth self-powered take
robotbio-inspired-roboticsflapping-wing-robotaerial-roboticsrobotic-flightbiomimicryautonomous-takeoffChina's oyster-inspired 'bone glue' bonds fractures in minutes
Chinese researchers have developed a novel medical adhesive called “Bone-02,” inspired by the natural adhesive oysters use to attach to underwater surfaces. This bio-glue can bond fractured bones within 2–3 minutes, even in moist, blood-rich environments where traditional adhesives fail. Unlike conventional methods requiring metal plates and screws, Bone-02 can be injected directly into the fracture site, providing strong fixation with bonding strength exceeding 400 pounds and notable shear and compressive strengths. Additionally, the glue is biodegradable, eliminating the need for implant removal surgeries, and early tests indicate it reduces infection risks compared to metal hardware. The innovation promises to revolutionize orthopedic surgery by enabling faster, less invasive procedures with smaller incisions and potentially eliminating permanent implants. Its strong fixation improves bone alignment and healing, lowering complications and healthcare costs. If ongoing clinical trials confirm these benefits, Bone-02 could transform treatment for complex fractures, allowing bones to be effectively “glued” back together and heal naturally rather than being reconstructed with metal hardware
materialsbio-adhesivebone-repairmedical-innovationbiodegradable-gluebiomimicrysurgical-technologyLightning-fast chameleon tongues may inspire medical, space tech
Researchers at the University of South Florida, led by postdoctoral researcher Yu Zeng and professor Stephen Deban, have uncovered a shared high-speed tongue-launching mechanism in both chameleons and salamanders. Despite their evolutionary distance and differing habitats, both animals use a similar "ballistic" slingshot-like system composed of ordinary tissues, tendons, and bone to project their tongues at speeds up to 16 feet per second. This discovery, based on over a decade of video analysis, presents a unified mechanical model that explains how these animals achieve rapid tongue strikes using common biological materials. The team highlights the potential for this mechanism to inspire innovative biomedical and industrial technologies. Because the system relies on simple, robust components that can be scaled and recreated with soft or flexible materials, it could lead to devices capable of precise, rapid extension and retraction. Possible applications include medical tools for clearing blood clots, equipment for retrieving objects in disaster zones, and mechanisms for handling debris in space. Future research will
biomimicrymedical-technologyspace-technologysoft-roboticsflexible-materialsengineering-innovationbio-inspired-designTiny robot inspired by water striders skims across water at high speed
Researchers have uncovered the mechanism behind the remarkable speed and agility of Rhagovelia water striders, tiny insects that skim rapidly across turbulent streams. Unlike previous assumptions that their fan-like leg propellers were muscle-powered, the study found these ribbon-shaped fans open and close passively, driven by surface tension and elastic forces. This passive morphing enables a biomechanical duality—high flexibility during leg recovery and high rigidity during propulsion—allowing the insects to execute sharp turns and reach speeds up to 120 body lengths per second, rivaling the rapid movements of flying flies. Inspired by these biological insights, a multidisciplinary team from the University of California, Berkeley, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Ajou University developed an insect-sized robot named Rhagobot. Using high-resolution electron microscopy, they revealed the microstructure of the natural fans and engineered a one-milligram, self-deploying elastocapillary fan with a flat-ribbon shape that mimics the natural design. Integrated into the mic
robotbiomimicrymicro-roboticswater-striderpropulsion-technologybio-inspired-designagile-robotsMelting ice races faster than Death Valley rocks on new lab surface
Researchers at Virginia Tech, led by Professor Jonathan Boreyko, have engineered a specially designed aluminum surface that causes melting ice discs to self-propel rapidly across it. The surface features asymmetric, arrowhead-shaped grooves with a herringbone pattern that direct the flow of meltwater, effectively carrying the ice disc forward without external forces like wind. This phenomenon was inspired by the natural mystery of "sailing stones" in Death Valley's Racetrack Playa, where rocks move across flat ground due to ice rafts propelled by wind and melting water. A surprising discovery emerged when the team applied a water-repellent coating to the grooved plates. Instead of facilitating faster movement, the ice disc initially stuck to the surface, creating a "slingshot effect." Meltwater pooling on one side of the ice disc generates a surface tension imbalance that suddenly dislodges and propels the ice at high speed, making it move much faster than the Death Valley rocks. This breakthrough has potential applications in rapid defrost
energymaterialsenergy-harvestingice-propulsionsurface-engineeringdefrosting-technologybiomimicryFold it, stretch it, build it: biomimicry with Dr. Shu Yang
The article profiles Dr. Shu Yang, a leading materials scientist and biomimicry expert at the University of Pennsylvania, who draws inspiration from nature’s structures to develop innovative, sustainable materials. Her early curiosity about natural phenomena evolved into a career focused on soft matter such as polymers, gels, and composites. Central to her work is biomimicry—studying biological systems like elephant skin, snail mucus, and ocean biominerals to uncover fundamental principles that can be applied to engineering challenges. For example, her team has created carbon-sequestering concrete inspired by the lightweight, porous, and strong structures of marine organisms, aiming to reduce the significant carbon footprint of traditional concrete. Dr. Yang also explores the art of kirigami—cutting and folding materials to alter their mechanical properties and functionality. By strategically introducing cuts, her lab transforms rigid materials into flexible, stretchable forms with applications ranging from building façades that regulate airflow and sunlight to medical devices like breast implant wrappers that optimize support while
materials-sciencebiomimicrysustainable-materialscarbon-sequestering-concretepolymerscompositeskirigamiTiny maple seed-inspired drone flies for 26 minutes with one rotor
Researchers at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), led by Associate Professor Foong Shaohui, have developed a tiny monocopter drone inspired by the natural flight mechanics of maple tree seeds (samaras). This lightweight, 32-gram drone, named SG60, achieves fully controllable, autonomous flight for 26 minutes using a single rotor, setting a new endurance record for drones of its size. Unlike its predecessor, the larger and more complex SG50 multi-rotor drone, the SG60 employs a simple, efficient design that generates lift through a spinning winged body, leveraging passive stability and aerodynamic principles observed in nature. The drone’s design was optimized through a data-driven process that fine-tuned wing shape, pitch, and mass distribution, resulting in a power loading of 9.1 grams per watt—outperforming similar micro air vehicles. Its simplicity, long flight time, and low weight make it suitable for cost-effective, long-duration missions such as
droneroboticsautonomous-flightbiomimicryaerodynamicsmicro-air-vehiclesenergy-efficiencyRobot crab reveals how male crabs compete to attract female mates
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) used a robotic crab named Wavy Dave to investigate how male fiddler crabs compete for female mates. Male fiddler crabs attract females by waving their one oversized claw outside their burrows, a key sexual signal. The robotic crab, equipped with a 3D-printed body and waving claw, was placed near real male crabs in southern Portugal to observe their reactions to a mechanical rival. The study found that male crabs increased their claw-waving duration and were less likely to retreat when the robot waved, especially when it had a smaller claw, indicating that males adjust their signaling behavior dynamically in response to competition. The research also revealed that male crabs were less likely to challenge rivals with larger claws, likely due to fear of losing or injury. Some males even physically attacked the robotic crab, with one crab pulling off Wavy Dave’s claw and ending the trial. These behaviors suggest
robotroboticsanimal-behaviorrobotic-crab3D-printingbiomimicrycompetition-analysisPeacock Feathers Are Stunning. They Can Also Emit Laser Beams
A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that peacock feathers, known for their vivid iridescent colors produced by nanostructured photonic crystals, can also emit laser light when repeatedly dyed. Unlike pigments, the feathers’ colors arise from the precise periodic arrangement of melanin rods coated in keratin within the barbules, which act as tunable photonic crystals that selectively reflect certain wavelengths. By staining the feathers multiple times with dye and then exciting them with light pulses, researchers observed laser emissions at two distinct wavelengths across the feathers’ eyespot regions, with green areas producing the strongest laser light. Single staining was insufficient to induce lasing, likely due to limited dye diffusion and structural constraints. Although the exact microstructures responsible for the laser effect remain unidentified, the study suggests that protein granules or other small internal features, rather than the keratin-coated melanin rods themselves, may serve as the laser cavity. This discovery not only advances understanding of natural photonic structures but also holds promise for
materialsphotonic-crystalsbiolasernanostructuresiridescencebiomimicryoptical-materialsAlbatross’s dynamic soaring could help drones fly longer using winds
UC Assistant Professor Sameh Elsa and his team are developing drones inspired by the albatross, a large seabird known for its ability to fly long distances without flapping its wings. Funded by a $700K DARPA grant, the project leverages biomimicry to replicate the albatross’s dynamic soaring technique. This flight method involves the bird repeatedly turning into the wind to gain altitude, then gliding forward using gravity and wind currents near the water’s surface, allowing it to stay airborne for hours efficiently. Albatrosses can cover hundreds of miles weekly, cumulatively flying distances far exceeding that between the Earth and the moon over their lifetimes. The research highlights the albatross’s sophisticated real-time flight optimization, which even advanced computers struggle to replicate. The birds use sensitive sensory input, including their keen sense of smell, to make precise flight adjustments, solving complex optimization problems instinctively. To mimic this, drones must measure changing wind speeds and directions and adjust their flight
robotdronesbiomimicrydynamic-soaringunmanned-aerial-vehiclesenergy-efficiencyautonomous-flightChina's bug-inspired tech to detect missiles 20,000x faster than US
Chinese scientists have developed a novel infrared sensor inspired by the fire beetle’s heat-sensing organ, which can detect missiles and heat sources up to 20,000 times faster than existing technologies. Created by researchers at the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics and Tongji University, the sensor uses materials like palladium diselenide and pentacene to operate in the mid-infrared range, enabling it to detect extremely low heat levels even in challenging environments such as smoke, dust, or fog. Tested in simulated wildfire conditions, the sensor demonstrated nearly 95% accuracy in tracking flame movement and storing heat patterns, highlighting its potential for applications in night vision, fire detection, industrial safety, and defense surveillance. In addition, a related device using black phosphorus and indium selenide achieved photonic memory speeds of 0.5 microseconds, allowing precise real-time data capture and image recognition. This advancement could enhance military systems, including missile defense units like China’s HQ-17AE, by enabling
materialsinfrared-sensormissile-detectionbiomimicrysurveillance-technologysemiconductordefense-technologyUS firm's 'tow truck for space' inspired by gecko feet tested on ISS
US-based company Kall Morris Inc. has developed a novel robotic arm system called Responsive Engaging Arms for Captive Care and Handling (REACCH), inspired by the adhesive properties of gecko feet and the dexterity of octopus limbs. This technology enables the robotic arms to selectively grasp and manipulate space objects without requiring docking ports or attachment points, significantly enhancing satellite servicing capabilities. During a recent mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), a four-arm version of REACCH successfully completed 172 capture cycles before returning to Earth via a SpaceX Dragon capsule. The company plans to deploy a full-sized eight-arm system commercially by 2027. The REACCH system can handle objects ranging from about 250 mm in diameter (roughly the size of a basketball) up to approximately 6.5 meters, allowing it to service a wide variety of satellites and potentially capture space debris. By enabling non-destructive and reversible capture of unprepared objects, this technology could facilitate satellite maintenance, orbit
roboticsspace-technologysatellite-servicingrobotic-armbiomimicryspace-debris-removalISS-experimentsElephant robot mimics muscle and bone with foam lattice design
Engineers at EPFL have developed a groundbreaking programmable foam lattice that combines softness and rigidity to mimic the musculoskeletal system of animals, enabling robots to bend, twist, and bear weight with unprecedented precision. This innovation was demonstrated through an elephant-inspired robot featuring a soft, twisting trunk and jointed limbs with varying stiffness, achieved by using two main types of foam cells—body-centered cubic (BCC) and X-cube—that can be blended continuously across the robot’s structure. This design allows smooth transitions between flexible and rigid areas, similar to how muscles transition into tendons and bones in animals. The programmable foam lattice offers immense configurational flexibility, with millions of possible geometric combinations by rotating, shifting, or superimposing individual foam cells. This capability enabled the creation of diverse joint types in the elephant robot, such as sliding, bending, and biaxial joints, facilitating lifelike movements like trunk twisting and leg articulation. Beyond locomotion, the lattice’s high strength-to-weight ratio and open foam structure
roboticssoft-roboticsprogrammable-foam3D-printingbiomimicrylattice-structuresmusculoskeletal-systemHarvard swarm robots curl and crawl like entangled living worms
Harvard researchers led by Justin Werfel at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a novel swarm robotic system inspired by the behavior of California blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus). These freshwater worms naturally form tightly entangled blobs that enable them to regulate temperature, protect against predators, and move cohesively. Mimicking this, the team created flexible, worm-like robots about a foot long, made from synthetic polymers with pressurized internal air chambers that allow them to curl and physically entangle with one another. This entanglement not only provides cohesion but also serves as a potential channel for mechanical communication and coordination among the robots. The entangled robotic swarm can move collectively over land and water, achieving tasks beyond the capability of individual units. The researchers aim to harness these emergent group dynamics for practical applications such as disaster zone exploration, navigation of irregular terrains, and manipulation of large objects. While current robots are individually powered and tethered, future iterations are planned
roboticsswarm-roboticssoft-robotsbiomimicryautonomous-robotsrobotic-materialsHarvard-SEASFlying squirrels' scaly tails inspire next-gen bionic robots, drones
Researchers at Empa in Switzerland, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute in Germany, have studied the unique tail mechanics of African scaly-tailed squirrels to inspire the development of next-generation bionic robots and drones. These squirrels possess thorn-covered scales on the underside of their tails, which provide exceptional grip and stability when clinging to smooth or uneven tree bark. While biologists had long suspected the scales aid in climbing, this study is the first to scientifically test and confirm their role in preventing slipping and enhancing stability. The research team used a combination of analytical models and physical replicas, including 3D-printed artificial squirrels with scaled tails and claws, to experimentally validate how these tail spines contribute to secure perching. Moving forward, the team plans to incorporate dynamic movement into their models to better understand how the scaly tail absorbs impact and stabilizes the squirrels during rapid or emergency landings, such as when evading predators mid-glide. Ultimately, these insights into natural locomotion could inform
robotbionic-robotsdronesbiomimicryrobotics-researchsoft-roboticsenergy-efficient-roboticsSquid-inspired camo may help US troops vanish from sight and sensors
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, in collaboration with the Marine Biological Laboratory, have uncovered the detailed cellular architecture behind the longfin inshore squid’s ability to rapidly shift its skin from transparent to vividly colored. Using holotomography, a 3-D imaging technique, they visualized the iridophores—specialized cells containing coiled protein columns called reflectin—that act as natural Bragg reflectors to finely control light reflection and scattering. This discovery provides the most detailed explanation yet of how squid achieve dynamic color modulation by twisting and packing these nano-scale reflectin columns. Building on these biological insights, the team engineered a bio-inspired, stretchable composite material that mimics and even extends the squid’s optical capabilities. This flexible film integrates nanocolumnar Bragg reflectors with ultrathin metal layers to enable tunable camouflage across visible and infrared wavelengths. The material dynamically adjusts its appearance in response to mechanical deformation or environmental changes, making it promising for adaptive military camouflage, multispectral
materialsbiomimicrycamouflage-technologynanomaterialsoptical-materialsdefense-technologysmart-materialsAlien sea slug turns into living solar panel by stealing algae powers
The lettuce sea slug (Elysia crispata) exhibits a remarkable biological phenomenon known as kleptoplasty, where it steals chloroplasts—the photosynthetic organelles—from algae and incorporates them into its own body. Instead of digesting these chloroplasts, the slug stores them in specialized sacs called kleptosomes within its intestinal system. These kleptosomes protect the chloroplasts, allowing them to remain functional and produce proteins, sometimes even incorporating proteins made by the slug itself. This enables the slug to harness solar energy directly, effectively turning it into a living solar panel and allowing it to survive for extended periods without food. Researchers also observed that the slug’s coloration, ranging from green to orange, correlates with its health and diet. Green slugs have abundant fresh chloroplasts, while orange coloration may indicate chloroplast digestion during starvation or a natural limit to chloroplast longevity. Beyond energy production, these stolen organelles might serve additional roles such as camouflage or predator deterrence. The study
energysolar-energybioenergyphotosynthesiskleptoplastymarine-biologybiomimicryOwl’s silent flight inspires material that tames harsh engine sounds
Researchers at China’s Tiangong University have developed a novel two-layer aerogel inspired by the silent flight of owls, which naturally dampen sound through their specialized feathers and soft skin. This new material mimics owl feathers’ serrated edges and skin’s porous structure to absorb a broad range of sound frequencies, achieving a 58% reduction in noise. Unlike traditional felt fiber soundproofing that typically targets either high- or low-frequency sounds, this lightweight aerogel effectively reduces both, making it superior for noise control applications. The aerogel’s bottom layer features a honeycomb pattern that cancels low-frequency noise, while the top layer consists of silicon nanofibers that dampen high-frequency sounds. In practical tests, it reduced automobile engine noise from 87.5 decibels to 78.6 decibels, outperforming many existing commercial noise absorbers. Additionally, the material is durable, maintaining its structure after repeated compression cycles. This innovation holds promise for reducing noise pollution
materialssoundproofingaerogelnoise-reductionbiomimicrysilicon-nanofibersautomotive-engineering