![]() ![]() This allowed it to slice through the air at a faster rate-a top speed of 186 mph, to be exact. Engineers of Japan’s 500 series Shinkansen train designed its nose after the Kingfisher’s wedge-shaped beak. These expert divers have not gone unnoticed-in fact, they’ve inspired the design of one of the fastest trains in the world. Kingfishers and bullet trains The nose of Japan’s 500 series Shinkansen train was patterned after the Kingfisher’s beak.Įver seen a Kingfisher dive gracefully into water in search of food-and without making a splash? That’s due to the streamlined design of its long, pointed beak. They’ve used this unique combination to design drones with the same precise and quick maneuvering ability. Scientists studied hummingbirds and their high wing-beat frequency-made possible by their long chest bone, strong wing muscles, and figure-eight wing beat patterns. That’s because the hummingbird-with its ability to quickly dart in any direction and hover over a colorful flower to drink it’s nectar-is the muse for this relatively new technology. It’s not hard to see the similarity between a flitting hummingbird and a hovering drone. ![]() Hummingbirds and drones Drones are designed to have the same quick maneuverability as hummingbirds. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus UpNext’s flight demonstration project is testing out flying commercial jets in a formation akin to migrating birds, with the same energy savings as their goal. The latest iteration of this idea? Passenger jets. Scientists and researchers have also studied the “V” formation of flying geese, which helps them save energy by catching the updraft of the bird in front of them, and applied it to military squadron formations. A bird’s shape, the way it uses its wings to produce lift, how it glides through the air-all of these details were meticulously studied and reproduced in the modern airplane. How Birds Inspire Invention Migrating birds and planes Migrating birds and jets flying in V formation.Īirplanes, of course, are one of the most obvious examples of biomimicry and birds. And the next time you unfasten Velcro, thank those pesky burrs that attach themselves to you when you walk through brush-they’re the sticking power (literally) behind the invention. Termite dens are studied for their ability to regulate internal temperature, and the findings are used to design energy-efficient buildings. For example, the study of shark skin and its low-drag force inspired the invention of modern swimsuit materials. Our discussion focuses on birds, but biomimicry uses many other animals and natural items and processes as inspiration. Put simply, biomimicry is design based on the study of something found in nature. ![]()
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