Learn from nature
THE PRINCIPLE
Nature makes a great model for new ideas
It’s sometimes called ‘biomimicry’: innovation inspired by nature. One of the best-known examples is Velcro, which was based on the grappling hooks of seeds, but there are plenty of others:
- In order to develop new adhesives, scientists are studying how geckos are able to stick so well to walls.
- The sea cucumber, which normally is soft and pliable but can secrete chemicals to stiffen its skin, has inspired the invention of new plastics that go hard to soft when exposed to water.
- Engineers at Speedo studied shark skin to come up with a new swimsuit (it was worn by most of the medal winners in the 2008 Olympics, including Michael Phelps).
- The quiet operation of the Japanese ...