An extraordinarily advanced animal species, humans have developed highly functional, organized societies that are driven by ever-evolving cultures, languages, and technologies. Yet, we might not be quite as advanced as we fancy ourselves. When we turn to nature, we see that other animal species and plants have evolved astoundingly efficient, specialized biological systems during the 3.8-billion-year journey of life on Earth. Today, scientists are taking cues from plants and animals, and discovering ways to harness their special abilities to help push human civilization to new heights.
While we go about our daily routines, plants are busy turning the energy of light from the sun into chemical energy, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing the oxygen that sustains life on Earth. Photosynthesis is a well-known process, but one of its vital elements remained a mystery until Japanese researchers unraveled the crystal structure of a protein complex in plants called Photosystem II. Now they are advancing research on artificial photosynthesis, which could be the solution to the world’s energy crisis.
Plants and animals have specialized structures that enable them not only to survive, but to flourish, in their natural habitats. Through biomimetics — applying designs from nature to solve problems in fields such as engineering and manufacturing — researchers are creating sustainable, energy-efficient products and processes that are significantly improving lives and reducing human impact on the environment.
One of nature’s most enigmatic and intriguing processes, mammals’ hibernation has fascinated scientists for many, many years. But only recently have we discovered what may trigger it and gained deeper understanding of the regenerative effects it has on an animal’s body. Focusing on one of the world’s most well-known hibernators, the chipmunk, a Japanese researcher has entered a new phase of understanding. Advancing the research could lead to breakthroughs in medicine — and even make it possible for us to travel to Mars.
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- Nikon pursues structural colors
Nikon is working in the realm of biomimetics, studying structural colors — the iridescent, metallic hue seen on the wings of Morpho butterflies and jewel beetles. The stunning blue color of Morpho butterfly wings is a structural color, not a pigment, created when light interacts with intricate structures on the wings. Nikon’s research and development could lead to new coatings and specialized optical elements.
- Nikon pursues structural colors
- Clarification of Structure of a Complex That Plays Central Role in Photosynthesis
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The structure of Photosystem II (PSII), the vital element during plants’ photosynthesis, was unraveled using X-rays at the Super Photon ring-8 GeV (SPring-8), a large synchrotron radiation facility in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. This page, part of the SPring-8 website, explains PSII and artificial photosynthesis.
- AskNature
AskNature is a “bio-inspiration website” for innovators, biologists, students and collaborators from different fields who want to create sustainable designs inspired by nature. The site is run by the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute, a nonprofit organization founded by Janine Benyus, a science writer who coined the word “biomimicry.” Biomimicry is another word for biomimetics, but focuses on environmental sustainability.
- HowStuffWorks: How Hibernation Works
The HowStuffWorks site from Discovery Communications covers topics ranging from culture to cars to science. This article discusses why animals hibernate, the role temperature and food supplies play, and the glands and hormones involved in the process. It also talks about estivation, which is similar to hibernation but occurs at very high temperatures or in arid conditions.
Updated May 13, 2013