https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/biomimicry/RSS feed for biomimicryenFri, 24 Jul 2026 20:28:24 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-robot-can-flap-its-wings-to-both-fly-and-swim-it-might-one-day-help-scientists-study-diving-birds-and-survey-ocean-habitats-180989172/The bioinspired device, which weighs roughly half a pound and measures around three feet wide, was also modeled after aquatic birds like puffins, gulls and loonsFri, 24 Jul 2026 20:28:24 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-robot-can-flap-its-wings-to-both-fly-and-swim-it-might-one-day-help-scientists-study-diving-birds-and-survey-ocean-habitats-180989172/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-find-a-mathematical-pattern-used-in-city-planning-hidden-in-the-leaves-of-a-common-houseplant-180988978/The major veins of Chinese money plant leaves form what's called a Voronoi diagram. It might be caused by a plant-growth hormone that emanates in waves from developing leaves' poresThu, 18 Jun 2026 16:02:39 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-find-a-mathematical-pattern-used-in-city-planning-hidden-in-the-leaves-of-a-common-houseplant-180988978/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-humanoid-robot-just-beat-the-human-world-record-for-the-fastest-half-marathon-during-a-race-in-china-180988599/A self-navigating robot called Lightning, developed by Chinese electronics company Honor, won the 13.1-mile race. Its results and others mark significant advancements since last year's inaugural event, where only 6 of the 21 androids reached the finish lineWed, 22 Apr 2026 19:27:47 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-humanoid-robot-just-beat-the-human-world-record-for-the-fastest-half-marathon-during-a-race-in-china-180988599/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/sea-stars-can-lose-an-arm-and-soldier-on-what-if-robots-could-do-the-same-180988453/Bioinspiration looks to nature for clues on how to build more efficient, resilient robotsThu, 02 Apr 2026 15:47:10 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/sea-stars-can-lose-an-arm-and-soldier-on-what-if-robots-could-do-the-same-180988453/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-do-snakes-stand-upright-nearly-stick-straight-new-research-points-to-how-they-pull-off-the-gravity-defying-feat-180988470/These clever creatures seem to concentrate their muscle activity near their bases, which helps them cross gaps between tree branches in the wildThu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-do-snakes-stand-upright-nearly-stick-straight-new-research-points-to-how-they-pull-off-the-gravity-defying-feat-180988470/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-detachable-robotic-hand-can-scurry-around-and-grasp-objects-just-like-thing-from-the-addams-family-180988041/With up to six fingers that can bend in multiple directions, the innovative tool could one day be used to carry out tasks in tight spacesThu, 22 Jan 2026 16:25:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-detachable-robotic-hand-can-scurry-around-and-grasp-objects-just-like-thing-from-the-addams-family-180988041/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-robot-is-unraveling-the-secrets-of-how-some-bats-bounce-sound-waves-off-leaves-to-find-insect-prey-180988031/A new study from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute used a robot to mimic common big-eared bats' echolocation skillsWed, 21 Jan 2026 15:33:28 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-robot-is-unraveling-the-secrets-of-how-some-bats-bounce-sound-waves-off-leaves-to-find-insect-prey-180988031/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/greenland-sharks-can-survive-for-centuries-and-maintain-long-lasting-vision-despite-living-in-the-dark-180988017/The long-living sharks aren't as blind as once thought and have DNA repair mechanisms that may help prevent their vision from degrading, a study suggestsFri, 16 Jan 2026 16:19:50 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/greenland-sharks-can-survive-for-centuries-and-maintain-long-lasting-vision-despite-living-in-the-dark-180988017/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/naked-mole-rats-prefer-low-oxygen-air-that-would-kill-most-mammals-adding-to-their-list-of-death-defying-superpowers-180987997/These underground rodents are the first mammals found to actively choose air with lower-than-normal oxygen levels. Their remarkable ability to survive these conditions could offer a key model for researchers studying new treatments for stroke or lung diseases in humansWed, 14 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/naked-mole-rats-prefer-low-oxygen-air-that-would-kill-most-mammals-adding-to-their-list-of-death-defying-superpowers-180987997/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/when-some-elephants-raid-farms-they-might-not-be-after-a-snack-they-could-be-looking-for-medicinal-plants-180987986/A recent study suggests that the large mammals may seek out parts of bananas and papayas when they’re suffering from gut parasites, sparking a cross-species exchange of pharmaceutical knowledgeTue, 13 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/when-some-elephants-raid-farms-they-might-not-be-after-a-snack-they-could-be-looking-for-medicinal-plants-180987986/