Learning from nature

Jenny · 6685. Sat Apr 03, 2004 1:35 pm

Cuttlefish can change the pigments in their skin, and also reflect back the predominant light wavelength in their environment. This system helps them blend with their environment. A team at the University of Bath Centre for Biomimetics and Natural Technologies have used this method to create a 'camouflage gel' with potential military uses.

Jenny · 6686. Sat Apr 03, 2004 1:38 pm

Researchers at the Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, have studied the minute hairs on a gecko's toes. These interact at a molecular level with a surface, allowing it to walk up walls. The researchers are working on a new approach to adhesion based on this capability, which could even help robots move in space, where conventional suction fails. It could also be used for other areas where non-slippage is essential, such as climbing or lifting equipment.

Jenny · 6687. Sat Apr 03, 2004 1:40 pm

USAF researchers are developing heat sensors based on the organs of Melanophila acuminate beetles, which feed by seeking out smouldering wood. Such sensors would be highly sensitive to infra-red radiation without needing to be cooled to freezing temperature to work.

Source for all the above:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/feature/story/0,13026,1182736,00.html

Frances · 6689. Sat Apr 03, 2004 4:52 pm

I understand that the ability of leaves of the cabbage family to repel water has given new ideas to the makers of paints; so much so, that they can now produce perfectly water-tight boats made of cardboard.

They might also try studying the ability of Vine Weevil larvae to lie/ live/ move/ have their being in wet soil without any of it sticking to the horrible little monsters, which at least makes them visible in my potting compost, thank goodness.

Frederick The Monk · 6771. Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:39 pm

The best things for vine weevil larvae that I've found are a species of microscopic nematode worm ( (Heterorhabditis megidis) which naturally parasitises the little blighters. You can buy millions of the things mail order and then just keep them in the fridge until to decide to unleash this natural nemesis on you weevil collection. When you mix them with water and put them in soil infested with weevil larvae they wiggle into their hosts tiny stomachs where they furiously breed, eventually bursting out! Imagine the look on the vine weevils tiny faces.

Flash · 6772. Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:27 pm

Holy Smokes - The Sea Monkey's evil twin sister!

Frances · 6781. Sat Apr 10, 2004 2:10 pm

Don't you mean the worst thing for Vine Weevil larvae, Frederick? On the same lines as the headline 'Good Day for Grouse' on the first day of the Season actually means 'Bad Day for Grouse'? I have in fact used these nematodes, with apparent success - you can't actually count the numbers of larvae destroyed, but the damage did seem to be less.