Biomimicry: Researchers Copy God’s Design in Silkworm Moths

Drones have a wide variety of uses, including in disaster relief, navigation, war, and much more. But they rely on visual sensors or thermal imaging for navigation—so dust, low light, and even dampness can influence the drone’s capabilities. Well, researchers in Japan have apparently discovered a solution to that problem—“a novel bio-hybrid drone [that combines] robotic elements with odor-sensing antennae from silkworm moths.”

Many animals are very good at navigating using their sense of smell. “Insects, in particular male moths, can detect windborne sex pheromones from distances that, in some cases, extend to several kilometers through a process known as odor-source localization.” As part of the process of following a smell, insects pause to better narrow in on exactly where the odor is coming from. Researchers harnessed the physical design of the antennae (actually using antennae from these moths rather than just attempting to “recreate” the design) and incorporated processes to mimic the insect’s behavior to help their drones navigate via odor and even detect various gases. The drones can now effectively detect odors up to 16 feet away (impressive, but a far cry from the abilities of the moths!).

What are some of the uses for this technology?

The diverse applicability of the odor-sensing bio-hybrid drone could potentially revolutionize gas leak detection in critical infrastructures, early fire detection, enhance public security at airports by detecting hazardous substances like drugs and explosives, and enable better disaster response by improving rescue operations.

Even our best technology, produced by extremely smart people, falls short of what God has designed, even in something as humble as a moth.

It’s great to see people borrowing from the ultimate Designer, our Creator, to save lives in a fallen world. But even our best technology, produced by extremely smart people, falls short of what God has designed, even in something as humble as a moth. It’s a reminder that God’s fingerprints are on everything he’s made and we are without excuse if we choose to suppress the knowledge of him.

Get More Answers on Answers News

This item was discussed yesterday on Answers News with cohosts Dr. Georgia Purdom, Dr. Jennifer Rivera, and Bryan Osborne. Answers News is our weekly news program filmed live before a studio audience here at the Creation Museum, broadcast on our Answers in Genesis YouTube channel, and posted to Answers TV. We also covered the following topics:

• UK persecutes elderly pro-life protester.
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• Was evolution “not as unlikely” as previously thought?
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Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.