Nature Tech

Most animals, and even a few plants, move. They swim, walk, run or fly in a wide range of ways, and in this program we look at how designers of planes, cars and robots have found inspiration in nature. Geckos, sharks and vultures have inspired innovation and inventions for humans.

Nature invented a whole range of hi-tech materials long before we invented ceramics and plastics. See how a butterfly could change lipsticks, and possibly information technology and how a sequoia can help develop a better bullet-proof vest.

Nature has to be efficient in the way it processes information and uses energy, so when scientists began to look at nature with biomimetic eyes, it's not surprising that they started to see entirely new visions for our future. Inspiration comes from termites -- and even the leaf of a tree!