Biomimicry is an exciting field of engineering that continually produces amazing designs.  We have reported on the robotic arm based on an elephant trunk, artificial honeybee silk, and biofuels inspired by frog foam.  Now biomimicry is tackling the problems of cargo ships.

For any mode of transportation, a heavier load increases fuel costs and emissions.  This is especially true for an ocean-traveling container ship, which uses massive amounts of energy to propel through water.

However, by mimicking the hydrophobic characteristics of the water fern, researchers at the University of Bonn believe they can design a more energy-efficient container ship.

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Tags: Biomimicry, Biotechnology, Ocean, Transportation

The human brain is one of the most fascinating organs in our bodies and also one of the most complex. Thankfully, engineers are devising remarkable new ways to manipulate our neural circuitry, with applications ranging from controlling prosthetic limbs and giving voice to the paralyzed to treating depression and traumatic brain injuries. Here’s an exciting recent development in the field of neuroengineering:

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Tags: Biomedical, Computer, Electrical

Here’s an idea that could give a boost to offshore energy plants: underwater kites that harness tidal energy. Water is almost 800 times denser than air, so capturing the its force could ultimately be even more efficient than using wind power.

Called Deep Green, the low-cost and low-impact kite captures tidal power ten times faster than the speed of the water it operates in, resulting in 1,000 times more energy gains.

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Woolly mammoths have been extinct for over 10,000 years. But given the latest genetic sequencing efforts, scientists and engineers may be closer to resurrecting the ancient beast.

The starting point is blood. Researchers from the University of Manitoba have successfully reconstructed the hemoglobin of these ancient, massive creatures, and determined that their circulatory systems helped them survive in extremely cold conditions.

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Tags: Biomedical, Chemical

The annual Austrian Hexapod Championships may just be the closest thing to a Miss America pageant for six-legged robots. Not only do these crustacean robots race, but they also compete in a choreographed dance portion of the competition.

Highlight reel from the 2010 Hexapod Dance-Off after the jump.

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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Electrical, Mechanical | Comments Off on And Now: The Hexapod Dance-Off

Tags: And Now, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Robotics