Lizards and bark bugs lead the way in energy-saving designs

With millions of years’ experience, the master of design has to be evolution. Bionics is using nature’s solutions for a shortcut to energy-saving mechanisms.

Researchers with the EU-funded LiNaBioFluid project have looked to biodesign with energy efficiency in mind. They looked at two key features of machines: lubrication and friction reduction to minimise resistance. “This is a very important field as an estimated 5 % of the gross national budget is lost every year due to wear and abrasion in industrialised countries,” comments Dr Emmanuel Stratakis, project coordinator. Solutions were based on understanding the role of surface topography and wettability for fluid transport, from capillary channels onto a microstructured surface where it spreads.

Further details: Lizards and bark bugs lead the way in energy-saving designs