Biomimetic Building Material
Product design student Chao Chen has created an innovative building material that can open when it’s sunny and close to offer protection when it rains. Inspired by the pine cone’s water-proofing adaptations, Chen created a material with pore-like openings that reacts to outer conditions. Chen has produced three prototypes using this insight: a shelter for parks made of layers of this new material, a potential building facade that changes color when it rains, and an indicator for when to water house plants. Inspiring stuff!