Engineers Follow Inspiring Creatures
January 10, 2024
From tiny to mighty, living cells, animals and plants inspire human technology.
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The “Empty” Space in the Brain Has Vital Functions
August 30, 2022
Extra-cellular space (ECS)—the space between brain cells—has important functions that are 'mind boggling,' too.
Boastful Origin-of-Life Claims Conceal Contradictions
November 14, 2017
The latest speculations about life’s origins always overlook the most essential component: the origin of biological information. Suggestive catch-phrases are no substitute for demonstration. Evolutionary scientists employ stock phrases like “missing link” and “RNA world” and “prebiotic soup” that conceal, rather than illuminate, the actual chemical problems getting from molecules to life. The so-called “building […]
Follow the Leader: Nature
June 21, 2011
Ever since biomimetics (the imitation of nature) gradually emerged around 2002 and really took off in 2005, it has not slowed down. Over 90 previous entries in these pages have reported teams all over the world seeking out natural designs for ideas. The reports have accelerated in recent years to the point where there is only space for short summaries that give a taste of the wide variety of engineering work taking inspiration from plants, animals, and even cells. You yourself might inspire some inventor. Here are a few more highlights from recent adventures in biomimetics.