Spiders are best known for their ability to create intricate webs. Each species has its own weaving pattern, which it has developed over millions of years of evolution and that is perfectly adapted to its environment. For many years, materials scientists and other experts have been fascinated by the wonderful constru... |
2 November 2009
04:39 GMT |
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Under vacuum conditions, peeling off scotch tape from a roll even at a low speed causes small X-rays to emerge, showed early this week Juan Escobar, a University of California graduate student. During the experiment, a device slowly stripped the regular sticky tape off a roll at a speed of 1.2 inches (3.05 cm) per se... |
24 October 2008
13:21 GMT |
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Geckos have an odd ability that seems to allow them to defy gravity; it has been puzzling scientists (and superhero comics authors) for decades, as they hang upside-down on vertical surfaces with the least of efforts. By analyzing the Gecko feet, researchers were able to come up with a material that surpasses the res... |
10 October 2008
10:23 GMT |
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The issue with optical devices in space is that the extremely low pressure determines the adhesive that keeps them in place to release gases that either contaminate the lenses or move the lenses a couple of microns out of their original setting place. The same effect can be obtained while subjecting the adhesive mate... |
14 May 2008
06:05 GMT |
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You have a relatively simple task. Pulling off a piece of wallpaper glued onto a wall with the help of adhesive. Instinct tells us that it should pull off easily, in a single piece, however reality is very different. You should consider yourself lucky if you achieve this task without tearing off the wallpaper in sev... |
31 March 2008
08:41 GMT |
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Some animals mimic their environment, turning elusive for both their prey and predators, like in the case of cuttlefish and octopuses (but not of the chameleons, which also change colors). Others have to create their own camouflages. Some crabs have spikes on their back on which they thrust algae and sponges so that ... |
7 November 2007
05:35 GMT |
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Nature is well ahead man in what concerns the best technological patterns. That's why researchers are mimicking natural models to improve technologies. Inspired by the microstructures of beetle feet, a team from the Max Planck Institute (MPI) in Stuttgart, Germany, and Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, US, has ... |
6 November 2007
03:02 GMT |
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Mussels have puzzled humans since ever with their ability to attach themselves to the rocks. They can resist the power of the waves or hungry predators and cannot be pulled out. When the mussel larva 'establishes' in a site, it puts out its tongue-shaped foot and through a channel along its foot slides a vi... |
19 October 2007
04:31 GMT |
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If you like the red-blue suit, wear it, as people could climb vertical walls in a not such a remote future just like the comics/movie superhero Spiderman. Nature already developed the technology, which is employed by spiders, many insects and gecko lizards. All these species have tiny "hairs" on the tip of their fee... |
3 September 2007
07:00 GMT |
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Few people know that not all materials normally stick together, but many of you have had troubles sticking two surfaces together that no superglue seemed to be able to hold in place. Scientists encounter problems in their endeavor, and they usually turn to Mother Nature to solve their problems.The Gecko is a small l... |
19 June 2007
09:47 GMT |
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Nature prevails over human technology in many cases. Gecko lizards have amazed people for long with their ability to walk on walls and ceilings. The secret behind this amazing ability lies on an unique quick-release mechanism that permits geckos to strongly adhere to a surface, but then detach with ease, unlike conve... |
15 June 2007
03:32 GMT |
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They should have named him Frogman, not Spiderman. Because the amazing ability to stick to smooth surfaces even when they are tilted well beyond the vertical is a trait displayed not particularly by spiders and insects, but also by many tree frogs and some lizards called geckos, even if by different methods. Some sm... |
2 April 2007
02:57 GMT |
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Scientists studying robots encounter many problems in their endeavor, and they usually turn to Mother Nature to solve their problems. For instance, how would a robot move?Walking in an upright, manlike position is pretty difficult to achieve, and the most evolved humanoid robot only walks as fast as a clumsy three y... |
26 March 2007
09:06 GMT |
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You could be amazed by what mussels can do. These mollusks live in seas and freshwaters. Scientists are fascinated since ever by how these beings attach themselves to the rocks. The animals can resist to the power of the waves or hungry predators and are almost impossible to pull out.How do they do it?When the young ... |
15 March 2007
12:12 GMT |
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