Did you know that many scientific discoveries are inspired by the wonders that God has created in the world around us?
Blacktip Reef Shark
Did you know that many scientific discoveries are inspired by the wonders that
God has created in the world around us? There is no end to what we can learn
from God’s creativity and wisdom! The science of copying the designs in nature
to advance technology is called biomimicry. Here are a few interesting
examples of biomimicry:
- Velcro® was invented after a pet owner, George de Miestral, noticed the
burrs stuck in his dog’s fur were attached by tiny hooks.1
- Since butterfly scales are very heat-sensitive, their design is being used
to greatly improve thermal imaging devices, such as the thermal vision goggles
used by the military at night.1
- “German scientists modeled their first jet plane after the shark’s efficient
body design that allows it to rapidly travel through the water. Early jet
planes were even painted to look like sharks.”1
- Dragonfly wing design is being studied in an attempt to improve aircraft,
so they can maneuver better and more quietly, along with increasing the amount
of weight that they can safely carry. “Dragonflies are capable of amazingly
agile maneuvers, including flying backwards and sideways. They are also fast—some
species can fly at over 30 mph (50 km/hr). A dragonfly’s two sets of long,
beautiful wings flap typically 30 times per second.”2
Snowy Owl
- The design of owl wings is being studied to discover ways for airplanes
and helicopters to fly more efficiently (and quietly) at different speeds.“Owls
use special curved feathers on the front row of their wings that change the
direction of the air as it flows past, allowing them to fly at slower speeds
than most other birds. Slower flight is also quieter—obviously of great value
in hunting prey at night.”1
- The way in which the octopus propels itself through water is similar to
the design of jet engines.1
- Various types of craft use radar and sonar equipment to navigate, similar
to the echolocation abilities of bats and dolphins.1
- Spiders can produce webs that are stronger than steel! Because of this,
scientists are finding ways to produce stronger fabrics.3
- Scientists are developing better painkillers based on the venom of the black
mamba snake and the poison dart frog.4
Poison Dart Frog
To learn more about biomimicry and design in nature, please see:
1Jerry Bergman, Affirmations of God’s Existence from Design
in Nature, October 17, 2012, http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/aid/v7/n1/design-in-nature
2Stuart Burgess, "Bug Bots—God Invented It First," Answers, v7, n1,
3Stronger Than Steel, Answers in Genesis, February 9, 2012, http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/kw/silkworms.
4Black Mamba Venom—Medicine of the Future?, Answers in Genesis, October 17, 2012, http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/kw/black-mamba-venom.