Biomimcry: Emulating the Penis
Studying biomimicry is fun. Don’t believe me? Well, I get to write this article! 😉
Engineers and scientists have been studying the mammalian penis for years, intrigued by the dramatic physical changes it undergoes to switch from an excretory function to a fertilization one. Apparently, this repeated transformative capacity is a “marvel of hydraulic engineering.” The organ contains tissues that change shape, transforming its structure and shape as it fills with blood.
The functionality and physiology of the penis can be applied to the design of prosthetics and soft robots, according to Diane Kelly, a scientist and assistant professor who studied the penis as part of her doctoral work, and summarized in her TED talk. Otherlab, a San Francisco Bay Area-based company has created Pneubotics, a unit that specializes in fluid-based robotics that are high-strength, low-weight, and low-cost.
And there you have it, the mammalian penis provides insight for designing innovative solutions to human challenges.
At Alchemus Prime, we don’t think out of the box; there is no box! This is one example of how biomimicry and the power of creative thinking is moving our societies forward in win-win ways, and we love it!
The human penis fills with blood to transform from a soft, flexible structure to a hard, unbendable form. This feature is inspiring the design of robotics, and offers an interesting example of biomimicry.