Biomimetic

Blurring the line between biology and robotics, Chinese scientists are taking biomimicry to new depths with a small, low-energy bionic jellyfish that's so lifelike in form and movement it’s almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

With sights set firmly on supporting the development of hybrid boats, BlueNav has integrated its unique whale-inspired hubless electric drive into a new smart propulsion system with both ICE and electric power.

It’s straight out of a comic book: a shot of liquid silk quickly hardens into a sticky, strong fiber that can lift objects. Sound familiar? Researchers have described their Spider-Man-inspired tech in a new study.

Inspired by the color-changing skin of squids and other cephalopods, researchers have developed a flexible screen capable of storing and displaying encrypted images without using electronics – just tiny magnetic particles.

Metalworking usually requires very high heat and pressure, but scientists in Singapore have now demonstrated a way to make very pure metal structures at room temperature. It’s inspired by the exoskeletons of crabs and insects.

Inspired by the shiny lining of mollusk shells, researchers created a cement composite 19 times more flexible and 17 times more crack-resistant than regular cement. Its properties could be applied to brittle ceramic materials like porcelain and concrete.

BlueNav is bringing a more natural spin to its electric marine drive lineup. The all-new Whale Design propeller features blades that follow the contours of a whale to improve system efficiency.

Researchers have overcome a challenge in robotics by developing a sensor that can slide over braille, accurately reading it at twice human speed. The tech could be incorporated into robot hands, providing fingertip sensitivity comparable to humans.

The microscopic structure of the feathers of the eastern bluebird, a type of North American thrush, has inspired the creation of a simple-to-produce, scalable and robust novel synthetic material that could be used in batteries and water filters.

Inspired by a water-dwelling spider, researchers have created a novel surface material that stays dry for months underwater. They say the surface is easy to produce, scalable, and has a wide range of practical applications.

Once again, technology has been inspired by nature. After examining how centipedes traverse rough terrain, researchers created a multi-legged robot that mimics their curved, side-to-side movement, providing greater stability and maneuverability.

Scientists studying the makeup of limpet teeth have drawn inspiration from the way they form to create a composite biomaterial with extreme strength that could provide a more sustainable alternative to high-performance materials such as Kevlar.