They started with striped bass. Over a two-year period the researchers went through about 50 bass, puncturing or fracturing hundreds of fish scales under the microscope, to try to understand their properties and mechanics ...
Engineering
Jan 24, 2017
1
312
Certain varieties of aquatic floating weeds demonstrate an impressive ability to selectively absorb oil from contaminated water. These plants, which are often regarded as a nuisance, could in fact provide an extremely convenient ...
Materials Science
Aug 16, 2016
1
429
The first SAW (Single Actuator Wave-like Robot) that produces a pure wave motion using a single motor has been developed at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The SAW robot is designed for medical applications, maintenance, ...
Robotics
Aug 1, 2016
1
50
Researchers have developed artificial whiskers that allow robots to "see" the surroundings in dark and murky places by analysing the way the whiskers respond to water and air flow.
Engineering
Apr 18, 2016
0
54
Researchers at the RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia have drawn inspiration from the way kestrels hover above their prey to develop an autonomous fixed-wing micro air vehicle (MAV) that can gain height from convenient ...
Engineering
Dec 17, 2015
0
341
A pair of socks embedded with miniaturised microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and fuelled with urine pumped by the wearer's footsteps has powered a wireless transmitter to send a signal to a PC. This is the first self-sufficient ...
Engineering
Dec 11, 2015
0
856
Cornell University engineers have developed a method to re-create the arrangement of muscles of an octopus tentacle, using an elastomer and 3D printer.
Engineering
Oct 15, 2015
1
169
Most robotic parts used to today are rigid, have a limited range of motion and don't really look lifelike. Inspired by both nature and biology, a scientist from Florida Atlantic University has designed a novel robotic finger ...
Robotics
Oct 8, 2015
0
61
Cornell researchers have developed a new lightweight and stretchable material with the consistency of memory foam that has potential for use in prosthetic body parts, artificial organs and soft robotics. The foam is unique ...
Materials Science
Oct 8, 2015
0
60
A snake moves without legs by the scales on its belly gripping the ground. It generates friction at the points needed to move forwards only and prevents its scales from being worn off by too much friction. Researchers of ...
General Physics
Aug 17, 2015
0
16
