30 Animals That Made Us Smarter

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Lobsters and space telescopes Nov 08, 2021

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S2 Ep 20. How a sea creature can help us see more of our universe. A lobster’s eyes have evolved to spot food and potential threats in murky conditions at the bottom of the ocean. Scientists have copied their structure to create a new X-ray telescope that can be used to see into the dark expanse of space. Recordings of pulsars courtesy of The University of Manchester/Jodrell Bank. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

Pangolins and Waterloo Station Nov 01, 2021

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S2 Ep 19. A tricky design challenge solved! All thanks to the scaly skin of the pangolin. Scales cover its body in an overlapping pattern, providing both flexibility and armour against attack. Architects copied this to create a glass roof for a famous British railway station, which meant the structure could fit into an oddly shaped location. Let us know what you think. #30Animals Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals

Ants and mini robots Oct 24, 2021

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S2 Ep18. Snap! The trap-jaw ant’s amazing jaws can move faster than a speeding bullet, snapping shut at a top speed of 230km per hour. When the ant bites down, the force is so great that it launches the insect high into the air. Their powerful spring mechanism is being copied by scientists and may help move a new type of mini robot, which one day could be deployed in situations too dangerous for humans to enter – like fires or earthquake zones. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #30Animals Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals

Horseshoe crabs and vaccines Oct 17, 2021

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S2 Ep 17. A new synthetic test to create safe vaccines – based on the secrets of the horseshoe crab and its blue blood. Scientists hope this new technology could mean they no longer need to use the blood to test vaccines for harmful bacteria. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

Arapaima fish and armour Oct 10, 2021

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S2 Ep16. It’s a “living fossil”! This fish can resist piranha attacks and is inspiring a new body armour. The arapaima has been swimming the waters of the Amazon for millions of years. It’s also home to a famous predator, the fearsome piranha. The Arapaima has a secret weapon – it’s scales are both tough and flexible and they’ve caught the attention of scientists. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

Barn owl and drone Oct 03, 2021

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S2 Ep15. Learning from Lily the owl – could she help small aircraft cope with turbulence? Scientists hope what they’ve learnt about barn owls might help with the design of drones. Let us know what you think. #30 Animals www. bbcworldservice.com/30animals

Manta ray and pollution solution Sep 26, 2021

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S2 Ep14. Will a ray save the day? It’s inspiring a way to prevent more pollution of our oceans. As sea water enters a manta ray’s large mouth, plankton are captured and other particles are thrown up by whirlpools. Systems are being developed to extract or capture microplastics from water. Thanks for listening. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

Cicada and safe surfaces Sep 19, 2021

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S2 Ep13. Bye-bye bacteria! How an insect’s wings inspired materials that could keep surfaces free from bacterial infections. The wings of cicadas are covered with tiny spikes which burst the walls of bacteria and kill them. Replicating this remarkable design could lead to the development of antibacterial materials with potential for industrial and medical use. Thanks for listening. Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals #30Animals

Cats and road safety Sep 12, 2021

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S2 Ep12. We love cats (well, many people do)! Thanks to one feline friend, they help keep us safe. An inventor narrowly avoided a road accident thanks to the eyes of a cat. He developed reflective road studs and named them, fittingly, ‘cat’s eyes’, which help us drive safely at night. Thanks for listening. #30Animals Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals

Octopus and transplants Sep 05, 2021

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S2 Ep11. Can the remarkable dexterity of octopus suckers help improve delicate surgery? The octopus uses its powerful arms to grip onto rocks, capture prey and walk around the sea floor. Suckers are found along the arms which are crucial for manipulating objects. The action of these suckers has inspired a device to transfer fragile sheets of thin tissue in surgical procedures.

Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #30Animals

Get in touch: www.bbcworldservice.com/30animals

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