Such immensity is hidden in the minuscule…
Biomimicry
Always navigating between Art and Science, France Bourély has a passion for all technologies inspired by microscopic structures of life. She participates in seminars or conferences to show how these life technologies can benefit the engineers in the future
SEASCRAPER
Phytoplancton emerging from a micropore on the skeleton of the mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.
The function of the many interconnected micropores is to allow the passage of adhesive tube feet, mainly for locomotion. This endoskeleton, enclosed by an epidermis, and spines, is famous for its beautiful symmetry, and is mostly made of calcite and magnesite. Its shape is effective at distributing stress evenly over the surface. Marine echinoderms can be studied for their numerous biomimetic applications in modern technology
VELCRO
Bee wings beat 200 times per second and their hind wings are smaller than the front ones. To better synchronize, these can, when necessary, attach together with miniature hooks. This mechanism reduces turbulence in flight
opera
Intricate details of a mediterranean diatom. Its glass exosqueleton is very resistant, due to the existence of multiple openings which prevent any cracks from spreading. This 250 million years old technology, also allows the microalgae to capture more sunlight, and thus produce oxygen more effectively .
GYROSCOPE
Detail of the joints of a fly’s pendulum, with the nerve endings -the sensilli- that sense air flow. They facilitate aerial acrobatics, by allowing adjustment of the trajectory in real time. This tiny gyroscope is a model of inspiration for engineers in aerospace, micro-mechanics or robotics.
Scientific imaging in neuroscience
Scientific imaging in neuroscience
with the LNMC laboratory of the Brain&Mind Institute of EPFL,
