Biomimicry
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Giant Clams' Shiny Shells May Inspire Solar Power Tech

Giant Clams' Shiny Shells May Inspire Solar Power Tech | Biomimicry | Scoop.it

"Brilliant shades of blue and aqua coat the iridescent lips of giant clams, but these shiny cells aren't just for show, new research finds. The iridescent sheen directs beams of sunlight into the interior of the clam, providing light for algae housed inside. [...] The giant clams' colorful and sparkly sheen may one day inspire new forms of clean technology, the researchers said. For instance, traditional solar cells work well in direct sunlight, but not when they get too hot. With the clam's design, a reflective sheen could help solar cells stay cool even when they're exposed to intense sunlight,.."


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Robot Razor Clams Make Better Anchors

Robot Razor Clams Make Better Anchors | Biomimicry | Scoop.it

"At MIT, nature has long been a source of inspiration, and in a new project two researchers turn to the razor clam as inspiration for their burrowing robot. The burrowing bot, know as the RoboClam, is about half the size of a lighter but is controlled by an off board set of apparatuses, including pressure regulators, pistons and other control mechanisms."

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How the Disco Clam Got its Flash

How the Disco Clam Got its Flash | Biomimicry | Scoop.it

"As molluscs go, Ctenoides ales is quite literally one of the flashiest. A native of the Indo-Pacific region, the creature is known as the disco clam because the soft tissues of its ‘lips’ flash like a mirror ball above a dance floor. A study published today finds that the disco clam achieves this using nanoparticles of silica to reflect light.".

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