30 Animals That Made Us Smarter

BBC World Service

4.8 (601)
TECHNOLOGY

Amazing things humans have learnt from the animal kingdom. Inspiring, fascinating, bingeable. Please note, we are no longer able to receive emails for this series.

01/17/2022

Insects and mobile phone

S2 Ep 30. Smart phones could become even smarter – thanks to ants, beetles, moths and spiders! A multi-animal special episode, marking the season 2 finale. Patrick explores what could be an insect inspired phone of the future! There’s the story of the fire ants and bark beetles and a new camera lens with a much greater field of view. The hairs on butterflies, moths and spiders could help with an amazing new microphone. Moths might make it easier to look at our phones in bright sunlight. There’s also a waterproof, anti-bacterial cover which could be based on the wings of cicadas. Thanks for listening and please help us spread the word. #30Animals

21 min
01/10/2022

Butterfly and eye implant

S2 Ep 29. Not all butterflies are colourful. The transparent wings of the longtail glasswing butterfly may hold the key to more effective eye implants. This could be of huge benefit to people with glaucoma - the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

17 min
01/03/2022

Slug and surgical glue

S2 Ep 28. From goo to super glue! Slug slime may hold the key to mending wounds without stitches or staples. Scientists have developed new adhesives based on the properties of slug slime, that are as sticky as any glue, stretchier than a rubber band and aren’t toxic to humans. This sticky substance could be used to repair a delicate organ like the heart or lung without using methods that could damage the organ. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

18 min
12/27/2021

Dragonfly and sky spy

S2 Ep 27. The amazing agility of a dragonfly leads to the creation of a new spy drone. Their four wings can move independently of each other, enabling them to fly forwards, backwards, sideways, up and down and suddenly stop and hover like a helicopter. This caught the attention of engineers who wanted to develop a small drone that could be used by the military as a spying device. In the future, this sort of technology might send back pictures from areas where it’s too dangerous for humans to go. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

16 min
12/20/2021

Kingfisher and soil erosion

S2 Ep 26. A very clever solution to a significant environmental problem based on a kingfisher’s eyelids. When the brightly coloured bird dives for food, its eyes are covered in a way that protects the kingfisher’s eyeballs, rather like swimming goggles protect ours. Architects have copied this design to help prevent soil erosion on the banks of the huge Three Gorges Dam in China. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

14 min
12/13/2021

Bees and fast deliveries

S2 Ep25. Sweet moves! Honey bees have developed an extraordinary form of communication known as the “waggle dance”, which directs other bees to where the best nectar can be found. As more and more bees explore the area, their directions become more refined. This method of refining information has been copied into an algorithm to help delivery drivers save time and fuel, without the need to plot journeys by hand. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

16 min
12/06/2021

Jellyfish and underwater robot

S2 Ep 24. The world’s most efficient swimmer is the moon jellyfish! It’s the inspiration for a soft underwater robot that is safe enough to use in fragile environments like coral reefs and aquatic archaeological sites. By contracting a ring of muscle, the jellyfish can push water out of their bell-shaped bodies, thrusting them forwards without using much energy at all. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

15 min
11/29/2021

Polar bear and insulation

S2 Ep 23. The science behind some fascinating fur could help humans keep warm in space. A polar bear’s fur is brilliant at insulating it from freezing arctic temperatures. Each shaft of hair contains multiple chambers which trap heat close to the skin, making it an incredible thermal insulator. Now, scientists have copied its structure to build a light and flexible material which may be useful for the aerospace industry. Let us know what you think. #30Animals Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals

20 min

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4.8

out of 5

601 Ratings

Great podcast Need more

10/16/2024

mec12576

Please continue to make more episodes . I miss the podcast. One of the best
Guys I’m not going to be in the bathroom

12/16/2024

Princess podcast👑👗👠💍

The first time I saw a bathroom I thought it looked really gross
Make a third season!

09/15/2024

The_Tardigrade

Great stuff. Informative, scientific, and interesting.
I am going to go to bed 🛌 now

04/23/2024

Bartharreeyuom

I have not heard anything about your sow so I am going to try your sow today but if your sow is not the sow I’m looking for I’m going to have to unfollow it.

Amazing things humans have learnt from the animal kingdom. Inspiring, fascinating, bingeable. Please note, we are no longer able to receive emails for this series.