Top 4 products you need to know were inspired by nature
There are products all around us inspired by an initial idea, concept or in this sense, nature. In fact, the correct term for products inspired by nature is, Biomimicry.
Biomimicry is when we are inspired by nature to create something useful for humans. Like in the name 'bio' meaning relating to life or living things and 'mimic' meaning that you are inspired or mimicking something.
A lot of the products we have today are made from this technique of biomimicry you may not realise.
Here are my favourites:
Velcro
MORE: Velcro can also make for fun sticky situations, like this. Picture: The Canberra Times
Velcro is a very common adhesive that is usually used in clothes. Velcro is two strips of plastic sheets, one covered in hooks and the other loops. They are inspired by burrs because the hooks on the plant used to get stuck to clothes or fabric. Inventors used this idea to incorporate into Velcro.
IDEA: Velcro (left) is inspired by pesky grass burrs (right).
Gecko Tape
Geckko tape is a very sticky tape. It's used to stick objects together and is stronger than regular sticky tape.
This tape was inspired by gecko's toes and how they grip onto things. They mimicked the natural adhesiveness of the feet and the microscopic hairs covering the gecko's feet and legs.
GRIP: Scientists have found a way to make a super adhesive tape based on properties found in Gecko feet. Picture: The Sunday Age
High performance bathers
These high-tech bathers are made to reduce drag when swimming. Especially when doing competitive swimming these bathers are very useful to increase the speed and reduce the drag.
These bathers are inspired by shark skin. The skin of the shark is like sandpaper texture and is thought to reduce the drag.
FIERCE: Prolific Olympic swim medallist Michael Phelps in a suit based on shark skin.
Bullet train
The bullet train is a famous Japanese train that is super-fast going with top speeds about 300 kilometres per hour.
SWIFT: Could the Japanese bullet train (left) be like a Kingfisher?. Pictures: Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review
The train was inspired by the kingfisher because of this bird's large head, long narrow beak and the way it dives through the water with very little splash.
The technique and look of the Kingfisher have inspired the world-famous bullet train.
- SOPHIE BUSUTTIL writes for The Courier under youth program SHOUT, offering a platform for young people across the region to share their opinions and creative work.