Page 124 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

A Computer Solution from Butterflies

We use computers so extensively that they’ve become part of every
moment of our lives 24 hours a day—at home, at work, even in our cars.
Computer technology is developing rapidly day by day, and increasing
living standards require of computers’ functioning to increase at the same
pace, growing faster all the time. The latest models can achieve breath-
taking speeds, and faster chips mean that computers can carry out more
tasks in less time. However, faster chips lead to greater consumption of
electricity, which warms up the chips as a result. It is essential for com-
puter chips to be cooled down to prevent them from melting. The existing
fans are no longer sufficient to cool down the latest generation of chips.
Designers seeking a solution to this problem eventually declared that they
had found a solution in nature.
Butterfly wings contain a perfect structure in their design. Research
carried out at Tufts University has revealed that there is a cooling system
in butterfly wings. When this system is compared to that in computer

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