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Biomimetic soft “seed robot” can navigate through soil
May 8th, 2023
Researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Genova have created what they say is the first 4D-printed, biomimetic, biodegradable, soft robot that changes shape in response to humidity and can navigate through soil. The researchers say the device has great potential as a new means of monitoring the environment. Photo: Istituto Italiano di Tecnología. 4D […]
Octopus inspired Camouflage Material
October 26th, 2017
Recent research shows that biomimetic approaches can help with the development of sophisticated, high-performance textiles. A team of researchers from Ithaca, N.Y.-based Cornell University and Woods Hole, Mass.-based Marine Biological Laboratory have borrowed inspiration from cephalopods, such as octopus, in devising camouflage materials. A nonwoven textile material was used in conjunction with elastomeric silicone membranes […]
Naturally brilliant
October 7th, 2016
If nature has figured out a pretty good way to do something, it would make sense to try and copy it, right? Lizards that change color for camouflage … moisture that beads up and rolls right off a lotus leaf … the aerodynamics of a humpback whale, pirouetting under water … tree frogs that climb […]
Biomimetics and biotextiles
October 7th, 2016
Imitating nature offers sustainable choices in new textiles. Nature provides the inspiration for many innovations, including in the field of textiles. Some efforts, however, are quite specific in imitating nature. In fact, an entire field of science has blossomed under the name “biomimetics,” a term first coined in 1969 by Dr. Otto Schmitt, who spent […]