Model Airplane Engines Diesel
Mimicking nature
MIMICKING NATURE!!!
The first thought that comes into our minds when we talk of mimicry is film stars mimicking famous personalities for comedy. Has anyone imagined that we could even mimic nature? This wonderful concept of looking into nature for inspiration to solve problems is Biomimicry.
1) One of the early examples of Biomimicry was the study of birds to enable human flight. Although never successful in creating a “flying machine”, numerous notes and sketches were made based on the anatomy and flight of birds. The Wright Brothers, finally did succeed in creating and flying the first airplane in 1903, also derived inspiration for their airplane from observations of pigeons in flight.
2) Ever wanted to walk up walls or across ceilings? Gecko Tape may be the way to do it. The tape is a material covered with nanoscopic hairs that mimic those found on the feet of gecko lizards. These millions of tiny, flexible hairs exert van der Waals forces that provide a powerful adhesive effect. So Spiderman wannabes will have to wait awhile longer, till this invention is out into the market.
3) In another Biomimetic development on the automotive front, DaimlerChrysler has developed a new concept car from Mercedes-Benz based on the shape of an odd tropical fish - Bionic Car. Using the shape of the tropical boxfish, designers achieved an aerodynamic ideal that boasts 20% less fuel consumption and as much as an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. The diesel-powered compact will get about 70 miles per gallon, and can run just fine on biodiesel fuel. It’s been a few years since development, so we can hope this car will be available soon!
4) Glow-in-the-dark aquarium fish may not fulfill a needful ecological role at the present time, but they’re a fun – and lucrative – application of fluorescent proteins discovered in jellyfish. The protein can be attached to other molecules of interest so they can be followed for understanding of their functions in living organisms, very useful in medical research. For the fish, the proteins serve the purpose of simply being very cool – they come in several colors!
5) The Shinkansen Bullet Train of the West Japan Railway Company is the fastest train in the world, traveling 200 miles per hour. The problem? Noise. Air pressure changes produced large thunder claps every time the train emerged from a tunnel, causing residents one-quarter a mile away to complain. Eiji Nakatsu, the train’s chief engineer and an avid bird-watcher, asked himself, “Is there something in Nature that travels quickly and smoothly between two very different mediums?” Modeling the front-end of the train after the beak of kingfishers, which dive from the air into bodies of water with very little splash to catch fish, resulted not only in a quieter train, but 15% less electricity use even while the train travels 10% faster.
“We have just begun to learn what nature has to offer us.”These are a very few examples of Biomimcry, people really fascinated by the topic like me can surf the net for more details. It can always help us for new inventions. Hope to see many more inventions in future which can help us solve many of our problems.
About the Author
Chris Allen, Manager, Biomimicry Design Portal Project, Biomimicry Guild and Institute
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Actron CP7828 Professional Compression Tester with Storage Pouch $33.89 Easy-to-read, 2-1/2″ professional gauge with heavy-duty rubber boot protects gauge 0-300 psi/0-2100 kPa scales for accurate measurements Bourdon tube movement for accurate readings Handy tool pouch, repair kit, and instructions included 1 year warrantyThe Professional Compression Tester ACTCP7828 measures cylinder compression to accurately diagnose engine condition. It is compatible with all sta… |
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The First Airplane Diesel Engine: Packard Model DR-980 of 1928 This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery…. |
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The First Airplane Diesel Engine: Packard Model DR-980 of 1928 $9.04 … |
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Electrical characteristics of spark generators for automotive ignition (Report / National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) … |
