Humpback whale inspires wind turbines

The tubercle placement on the humpback whale's flippers and tail is a major part of the reason the great mammal is so aerodynamic - or as MIT's Technology Review called it, hydrodynamic.

Early wind tunnel tests of model flippers with tubercles by the U.S. Naval Academy showed that wind drag was reversed by 32 percent and lift was increased by eight percent. Other studies showed similar results. Corresponding design changes to airplane wings would seem to make sense considering these results.

http://inventorspot.com/
filed under: biomimetics, energy

Property spectrum: Surface
This property describes the evolution of surface texture. Surfaces tend to evolve from flat, smooth surfaces towards bumpy surfaces. Looking at nature inspired the addition of tubercles to reduce wind drag.

"In our pilot plant, we exclusively use agricultural waste such as corn stalks - that is, the corn plants without the cobs. This allows us to generate 30 percent more biogas than in conventional facilities," says IKTS head of department Dr. Michael Stelter. "Corn stalks contain cellulose which cannot be directly fermented. But in our plant, the cellulose is broken down by enzymes before the silage ferments," Stelter explains.

http://www.physorg.com/
filed under: biotechnology, energy

Property spectrum: Coordination
This principle describes the coordination between components, systems, and their environments towards a common goal. The decomposition of the waste materials can produce biogas that can be converted to electricity.

Every season window

Through a simple 180 degree spin of the inside pane with the special safety insulation glass, the KSD window turns from winter radiating heater to summer "keep cool" window.

http://www.ecologicalinnovations.com/
filed under: architecture, building & construction, environment

Property spectrum: Flexibility
Increasing flexibility is one of the most applied properties. Many products evolve from rigid to completely flexible. The hinged window allows the user to spin the pane around to insulate against the sun or to keep the warmth inside.

Computer learns sign language by watching TV

Plant that pretends to be ill

The plants feigns sickness to stop it being attacked by insect pests known as mining moths, which would otherwise eat its healthy leaves.

It is the first known example of a plant that mimics being ill, and could also explain a common pattern seen on plant leaves known as variegation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/
filed under: environment, nature

Property spectrum: Colour
The increased use of colour here helps the plant to mimic an illness which in turn deters moths from eating it.

 Scratchproof glasses

To people who wear glasses, it's an inevitable annoyance to result in some scratch on glasses when put them upturned on the table. So why not try the scratchproof glasses? Once you fold up the frames, the two extra brackets on them will then hold up the glasses to protect the lens..

http://www.inewidea.com/
filed under: gadgets, optics

Property spectrum: Shape
Once the glasses are folded closed, protruding arms are revealed that prevent the glasses getting scratched when placed face down.