It is not uncommon for scientists to look at nature and the natural world to find solutions for Earth’s everyday challenges including the scarcity of water. With the increasing demand for local food production, scientists and engineers need to concoct a new way for water to de distributed. A group in New York City referred to as NexLoop has invented a way to distribute water by mimicking the way a cribellate orb weaver spider webs collects fog from the air. This invention is named AquaWeb. Instead of relying on groundwater to water farms, the prototype collects rain and fog water to water outdoor and indoor farms, like greenhouses.
Researchers in the California Institute of Technology have found a way to mimic the way in which rose butterflies absorb light. They have created film solar cells that are two times more efficient at absorbing light that traditional solar cells. The butterfly’s wings contain nano holes that make the wings lighter and better for absorbing light. The order of the wings were crucial for this effect so scientists studied the wings under a microscope to better mimic them for their prototype. By recreating solar panels with this new technology, twice the amount of light can be absorbed and for longer periods of time. By redistributing water using rain water, that usually goes to waste and stormwater waste or runoff, and creating a way to increase the amount of light energy solar panels can absorb, this can lead to an increase in local food production.
http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/product_service_design_innovation/sustainable_brands/trending_spiders_mushrooms_butte
https://twitter.com/SabrinaMHC2001/status/922814996416954368
