Architecture
How architects apply biological strategies to buildings — the energy case, the projects that proved it works, what …
Animal
Honeybees build honeycomb from beeswax using hexagonal cells packed together — the biology behind honeycomb structural …
Animal
The shell is divided into gas-filled chambers connected by a siphuncle tube — the biology behind deep-sea pressure …
Plant
Pinecone scales open when dry to release seeds and close when wet to protect them — the biology behind …
Animal
Active at midday when surface temperatures reach 70°C — the biology behind passive radiative cooling materials.
Animal
Termite mounds maintain a near-constant internal temperature of 31°C despite outside temperatures swinging — the biology …
Animal
Tolerates 30% body water loss, body temperature swings of 6°C over a day — the biology behind passive building thermal …
Plant
The baobab stores up to 120,000 liters of water in its fibrous, spongy trunk — the biology behind passive evaporative …
Animal
Huddles of thousands of penguins rotate continuously — the biology behind collective thermal management systems.
Animal
When flooded, thousands of fire ants link legs and bodies into a self-assembling, waterproof raft — the biology behind …
Animal
This deep-sea sponge builds a cylindrical cage of glass (silica spicules) that withstands — the biology behind …
Plant
Hierarchical branching networks in leaves deliver water and nutrients to every cell within 1-2 cells — the biology …
Plant
The giant Amazonian lily pad can support the weight of a small child (up to 40 kg) on its surface — the biology behind …
Animal
In one of the world's driest habitats, this beetle collects drinking water from early-morning coastal — the biology …
Animal
Hollow, transparent fur fibers scatter and channel ultraviolet light down to the black skin beneath — the biology behind …
Plant
The lotus leaf surface is covered with microscopic waxy bumps (papillae) that repel water so effectively — the biology …
Plant
The saguaro's pleated, accordion-like trunk expands to store up to 750 liters of water after rain — the biology behind …
Animal
Uses its oversized hollow bill — a foam-filled composite of keratin tiles over a closed-cell bone — the biology behind …
Animal
Rapidly shifts skin color through active tuning of iridophore crystal lattice spacing — the biology behind …