One of the many ways mankind differs from the other species of the world is that we have been bestowed upon the gift of intelligence. A gift using which we can utilise the things available to us to make new things.
We have been inventing things since times unknown, each time making our lives a little bit easier. If you think about it, the sheer amount of invention that was required for humanity to reach its current state is mind boggling. Every aspect of our lives is touched by something that was just an idea in someone’s mind at some point of time.
Inventors are a special breed who are masters at connecting the proverbial dots and have the ability to turn inspirations into inventions. These inspirations can come from anywhere, but if history has showed us something, it is mother nature who has been the most prominent.
In this article, I am going to talk about 5 such inventions that were inspired by nature.
1. Shinkansen Bullet Train
Ever wondered why the front of the bullet trains have long beak like structures? Well, that was the result of one Eiji Nakatsu, an engineer and bird enthusiast in Japan.
Japan has had some really fast trains and that too for a long time. These trains though really convenient thanks to the high speed, came with a slight drawback. They used to create a loud booming sound whenever they exited a tunnel.
But thanks to Eiji Nakatsu, a new design was suggested in which the front of the train is shaped as a kingfisher’s beak. This makes the trains more aerodynamic and as a result the problem was solved. Also, the trains became 20 percent more fuel efficient.
2. Velcro
Velcro is yet another nature inspired invention credited to Swiss electrical engineer named George de Mestral. He was on a hunting trip in 1948, when he noticed burrs from burdock sticking to his clothes.
This gave him an idea and he began examining the way the burrs stick to stuff. He noticed that it contained hundreds of hooks when he examined the burrs under a microscope.
It took him years of experimentation and hit and trials until finally, he was able to successfully invent Velcro which he commercialised.
3. Geckskin (Gecko Tape)
Adhesives are really useful in our daily lives. They are used everywhere from schools to industries. With such wide ranging applications, it is natural that we would want to improve upon the design and function.
Scientists have been able to do just that. Several teams from different universities have come up with adhesives inspired by the natural stickiness of gecko’s feet.
One such adhesive is branded as Geckskin which was named one of the top five science breakthroughs of 2012. It is so powerful that an index-card sized piece can hold 700 pounds on a smooth surface.
4. Shark Skin On Vehicles
Don’t worry it’s not real shark skins that people have started sticking to their vehicles. It’s just the design that we have copied. Shark skin contains sleek scales that are made up of a tough material called dentin.
This helps it stay clean of algae and other tiny organisms trying to hitch a ride. Also, the special patterns on the skin help reduce drag that make movement in water much easier and efficient.
NASA scientists have apparently copied this shark skin design to develop patterns that they call ‘ribets’ which help planes and boats reduce drag and conserve energy.
5. Spider Web Inspired Medical Tape
Spider Silk is a very light yet a very strong material that is five times stronger than steel by weight. Its properties allow it to be sticky so as to catch prey and yet allows the spider to move across without any difficulty.
Using this as an inspiration, scientists have created a flexible medical tape that can be peeled off a wound without causing damage to the tissue underneath. This can reduce pain and harm to skin in patients.
This tape can be used in cases where the skin is too delicate and needs to be handled with extreme care, like in infants.