Technology
Applying biometics
to product development is growing widespread. The body mechanism of insects and
plants that allow them to survive in the severe environment gives clues to the
designing and development of new products. Professor Hideki Ishida of Tohoku University is trying to apply the body mechanism of dragonfly to wind generation.
Using the equipment to visualize wind flow, he analyzed the air current around
a dragonfly and found that the rugged surface of its feathers catches wind
effectively and changes it for smooth fly. He built a propeller very much like
a feather of a dragonfly and confirmed that the new propeller started to turn
around even with a wind velocity of merely 20 cm, while the existing windmill
needs a wind velocity of at least 2 m. His study may make it possible to
develop a windmill that can spin even with a breeze. At the current
stage, the new windmill can illuminate 20 LED bulbs set one meter away from the
propeller. He dreams building a small windmill installable in the garden to
create a new lifestyle.
A jewel beetle
radiates in seven colors depending on the angle from which it is seen because
particles of a nanometer size are aligned in several layers on the surface of
its feathers. Affected by reflection and refraction of light, the particles
create colors specific to jewel beetle.
Nakano and Co., Labs in Niigata Prefecture applies this principle of
color to its stainless steel products. The company successfully developed the
micorfabrication technology to keep their products shining without using
coating materials. Nakano’s products do not discolor, and they will become
stainless steels after recycling. With the background of the progress of
nanotechnology and computer simulation, studying the relations between the
shape and function of a creature has been developing. It is well known that the
nose of the train of the Shinkansen is designed like the beak of kingfisher. In
this way, many industries are busily occupied with the research on the
application of biometrics to developing new materials with improved
functions.
The nose of the Shinkansen train is designed like the beak of kingfisher.
Wind generation with a breeze. The idea comes from tree leaves.
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