#biomimicry

The Silent Struggle: How Plants Are Reshaping Our Understanding of Competition – And What It Means for Your Future

The Subtle Warfare Beneath Our Feet Understanding plant communication and competition isn't just fascinating science; it highlights the increasingly s...

New Heat-Regulating Fabric Feels Fluffy Like Cotton — but Doesn't Get Wet

In the cold, the fabric kept a hand wrapped in it much warmer than when wrapped in cotton.

Newswise — Once cotton gets wet, it pulls heat from your body. This is helpful when you’re exercising or outside on a hot day but dangerous in the bitter cold. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Energy Lettershave created an ultralight synthetic fiber material with a cotton-like fluffiness that also repels water. The prototype fabric outperformed regular cotton in both retaining heat in the cold and releasing heat at room temperature.  "Inspired by the fluffy structure of cotton, we created a new material that is ultralight and flexible. It keeps you warm in the cold better than cotton or commercial synthetic insulations, while also prevents you from getting too hot at room temperature,” says Quan Shi, a corresponding author of the study. 

Hardy ice plant's optical innovation inspires reflective design possibilities

Nature is filled with remarkable visual phenomena created by microscopic surface structures that interact with light in fascinating ways. The iridescent wings of butterflies, the shimmering feathers of birds and the glossy surfaces of flower petals are all examples of how living organisms control the reflection, absorption and scattering of light. These optical effects are not only visually striking but also serve important biological functions, including attracting pollinators, communication, camouflage and protection from environmental stress. Understanding these naturally occurring photonic structures has become an important area of research, as they provide inspiration for the development of advanced biomimetic materials and optical technologies. One such example is the hardy ice plant, Delosperma cooperi, a perennial succulent native to South Africa and widely cultivated in Japan. The flower's petals display a striking glossy appearance, prompting researchers to investigate the mechanism responsible for this effect.

Spider silk-inspired process turns corn protein into tougher plastic-like material

When it comes to technology and innovation, we have a lot to thank Mother Nature for. Learning from the natural world has led to a range of useful products, including Velcro, self-cleaning paint, and ultra-strong body armor. And now, a study published in the journal Nature Communications reports that scientists have developed a way to turn a corn protein into a plastic-like material using a method inspired by spider silk. The breakthrough could one day lead to biodegradable food packaging wraps to help reduce environmental waste.