Scientists have developed a new gene-therapy technique by transforming human cells into mass producers of tiny nano-sized particles full of genetic material that has the potential to reverse disease processes. The technique takes advantage of exosomes, fluid-filled sacs that cells release as a way to communicate with other cells. This new […]

The Wyss Institute is developing methods of capturing the CoV2 particles and then using them to quickly identify them within an hour. Also, they are finding ways to use bioinspired DNA nanotechnology that will enable people to detect viral RNA and proteins in a sample that is […]

The DownSpout System is a biomimetic solution that treats and stores rainwater and runoff in a similar way to a marshland or riparian edge. Through an investigation of these ecological systems in plant species, corresponding root depths, soil types, and hydrological zones, we have created a system that can be customized […]

Today’s autonomous drones have reaction times of tens of milliseconds, which is not enough for navigating fast in complex dynamic environments. To safely avoid fast moving objects, drones need low-latency sensors and algorithms. We departed from state-of-the-art approaches by using event cameras, which are bioinspired sensors with reaction times of microseconds. […]

This paper proposes a bio-inspired robot with undulatory fins and summarizes its control methods. First, three basic motions, forward/backward swimming, diving/rising motion, and turning, are implemented and evaluated by experiments. Next, a hybrid control that combines active disturbance rejection control with a fuzzy […]

Abstract Patch plays an important role in clinical medicine for its broad applications in tissue repair and regeneration. Here, inspired by the diverse adhesion, anti-adhesion, and responsive structural color phenomena in biological interfaces, we present a hybrid hydrogel film with an adhesive polydopamine […]

Highly mineralized natural materials such as teeth or mollusk shells boast unusual combinations of stiffness, strength and toughness currently unmatched by engineering materials. While high mineral contents provide stiffness and hardness, these materials also contain weaker interfaces with intricate architectures, which can channel propagating cracks into toughening configurations. Here we report […]

A behavior that has attracted particular attention as a means of solving complex mathematical problems is that of Physarum polycephalum, a single-cell slime mold that has often been used as a model in studies investigating biological phenomena. In the past, replicating the behavior of this particular single-cell organism has proved useful […]

Using chiton scales on marine mollusks as bio-inspiration, researchers and manufacturers were able to create a synthetic flexible armor. More specifically, researches were inspired by the tesselate formation of small, mineralized scales arranged on the soft girdle of the shell plates of a marine mollusk species. After collaborating with these researchers, […]

The redox flow battery (RFB) is a promising technology for the storage of electric energy. Many commercial RFBs are often based on acidic vanadium electrolyte solutions that have limitations regarding stability and energy density. Here, a new approach is presented that is inspired by nature’s electron storage, i.e. iron–sulfur clusters [Fe4S4(SR)4]2−.

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The design is inspired by the biological musculoskeletal system of the human foot and lower leg, mimicking the morphology and the functionality of the biological muscle–tendon–ligament structure. A key feature of the device is its soft structure that provides active assistance without restricting natural degrees of freedom at the ankle joint.

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From joint replacements to cardiac implants and dialysis machines, medical devices enhance or save lives on a daily basis. However, any device implanted in the body or in contact with flowing blood faces two critical challenges that can threaten the life of the patient the device is meant to help: blood […]

Researchers at Harvard University have designed a material, liquid-crystal elastomers (LCEs), that can follow the sun as it moves throughout the day. LCEs are rubbery polymers that take inspiration from the pads of gecko feet, controlling the directions in which the materials can move and stretch. Key to molecular structure of […]

If you’ve ever envisioned yourself equipped with rubbery, octopus-like tentacles to manipulate, move, grip, and release a wide range of objects (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?), then your day has arrived!

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A team of engineers and marine biologists built a better suction cup inspired by the mechanism that allows the clingfish to adhere to both smooth and rough surfaces. Researchers reverse-engineered the clingfish’s suction disk and developed devices that cling well to wet and dry objects both in and out of water. […]

Bat wings are fundamentally different from bird wings. The underlying structure of a bat’s wing is made up of “a metamorphic musculoskeletal system that has more than 40 degrees of freedom” and bones that actively deform during every wing beat. The wing surface itself is an “anisotropic […]