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Science & Medicine

Medicines and machines, inspired by nature

Our bodies build bones by arranging air pockets in a complex pattern that makes them incredibly strong. Engineers with a souped-up 3-D printer used this idea to make strong yet lightweight microstructures. The ultimate goal is to create better building materials.

Our bodies build bones by arranging air pockets in a complex pattern that makes them incredibly strong. Engineers with a souped-up 3-D printer used this idea to make strong yet lightweight microstructures. The ultimate goal is to create better building materials.  (Jens Bauer/ Institute for Applied Materials, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

For such items as cameras and surgical glue, scientists look to the natural world for clues to building better devices. Here are some examples.

Science & Medicine

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