Physics concepts inspired by animals for a brainstorm list

[GetNVan4Candy]

I need help finding some animals whose application of physics in the nature have inspired people to use the same physics in inventions/different applications.

Some animals I've thought of are:

• Bats (Radar)
• Dolphins (Sonar)
• Birds (Airplanes)

These animals would be perfect, except there aren't many social and environmental aspects I can talk about.

I just need some random animals to help me brainstorm.
If anything jumps into your mind, please post it.

 

[SteamKing]

Bats don't use radar (radio wave reflections to determine position or speed). The use a form of sonar, or high frequency sound wave reflections in a process called echo location.

 

[D H]

• Bats (Radar)
• Dolphins (Sonar)

These are dubious examples at best. First off, bats, like toothed whales, use sound for echolocation. Radar is very different beast. Secondly, neither radar nor sonar were biologically inspired. That echolocation in bats and toothed whales is similar to how sonar (not radar) works was discovered after sonar was developed.

The field of machine learning (a branch of artificial intelligence) does have several biologically-motivated concepts. Genetic algorithms, ant colony optimization, and particle swarm optimization, for example.

 

[mrcotton]

I saw a program once where engineers had created a robotic arm based on the way an elephant’s trunk worked.

 

[Ygggdrasil]

Gecko feet inspired the invention of a new super strong glue:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120216165500.htm

Carnivorous pitcher plants inspired the invention of a super slippery surface coating:
http://aizenberglab.seas.harvard.edu/index.php?show=research_topic&top=9&wh=1280x894x1280x1024

 

[mrcotton]

Velcro is another great example of bio-mimicry

http://inhabitat.com/finding-design-inspiration-in-nature-biomimicry-for-a-better-planet/velco/

I also heard that the sport of fly walling with a velcro suit against a velcro wall came from a person that had velcro squares on the wall and the back of there children's clothes so they could stick them on the wall while they cleaned the floor