Biomimicry: Nature and Every Inventor's Source for Inspiration

A great talk I wanted to share with those looking for a little creative inspiration. The design and sophistication that surrounds us in nature is simply amazing! What I don't understand is how anybody who observes the precision, intentionality, and purpose behind each uniquely designed thing can actually believe it is happenstance? Look and see for yourself.

Link to Janine Benyus' website
Link to AskNature.org

Micro Robots? Enter the Micromuscle!

Now this video is a must see! The size of these little miniature machines is quite amazing. Check out their website here for more info.

(via Micromuscle's website)
MICROMUSCLE EAP technology

Using MICROMUSCLE EAP technology a wide variety of small moving components can be constructed. The possibility to create moving structures and exert force enables new functionality for medical devices and other life science products.

Electroactive polymers
Electroactive polymers are an emerging class of materials with many new revolutionary properties. One of the main advantages of electroactive polymers is the possibility to electrically control and fine-tune their behaviour and properties.
The electroactive polymers used by Micromuscle AB are characterized by their ability to swell and contract when a small voltage is applied. The mechanism behind this is based on electrochemistry. Swelling is caused by ions and water entering the polymer. When the voltage is removed or reversed, the polymer contracts and resumes its original shape.

Freeform surfaces from single curved panels

The following research is by H. Pottmann, A. Schiftner, P. Bo, H. Schmiedhofer, W. Wang, N. Baldassini, and J. Wallner. - (ACM Trans. Graphics, Vol. 27/3 (2008).Proc. SIGGRAPH 2008)

Abstract:

Motivated by applications in architecture and manufacturing, we discuss the problem of covering a freeform surface by single curved panels. This leads to the new concept of semi-discrete surface representation, which constitutes a link between smooth and discrete surfaces. The basic entity we are working with is the developable strip model. It is the semi-discrete equivalent of a quad mesh with planar faces, or a conjugate parametrization of a smooth surface. We present a B-spline based optimization framework for efficient computing with D-strip models. In particular we study conical and circular models, which semi-discretize the network of principal curvature lines, and which enjoy elegant geometric properties. Together with geodesic models and cylindrical models they offer a rich source of solutions for surface panelization problems.

Link to PDF research paper

The Color of Metal

A fascinating look into the beauty of metal.



Article on Popsci

The Most Beautiful Periodic Tables in the World

I ran across this and had to find a place for it here. All materials from this planet in one place.



Link to site
Link to custom printed banners (great example of Mass Customization)

Powerfully Simple - IdeaPaint

I ran across this product and had to include it in the inspirational blog somewhere. This is such a great example of a well executed simple idea. Inspired product + well designed execution = success!

Link to website