Oxygen Underwater
6 October 2008, 11:23
Categories: superhydrophobicphilic biomimicry
Hundreds of insect species spend much of their time underwater, where food may be more plentiful. MIT mathematicians have now figured out exactly how those insects breathe underwater. By virtue of their rough, water-repellent coat, when submerged these insects trap a thin layer of air on their bodies. These bubbles not only serve as a finite oxygen store, but also allow the insects to absorb oxygen from the surrounding water. Thanks to those air bubbles, insects can stay below the surface indefinitely and dive as deep as about 30 meters. One possible avenue for technological application is that a similar bubble devise could supply the oxygen needed by fuel cells to power small autonomous underwater vehicles.
Posted by: The Editors
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