Page 61 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Harun Yahya

When threatened by a starfish, the
scallop suddenly closes the two
halves of its shell. It thus expels a
quantity of water in such a way as to
set up jet propulsion and forces itself
forward.

miles] an hour. 48
The nautilus, an incompa-
rable example in this regard,
resembles an octopus and may
be compared to a ship with a
jet engine. It takes water in
through a tube beneath its
head and then shoots the water
out. While the water travels in
one direction, the nautilus is
propelled in the other.
Another feature makes
scientists envious of these crea-
tures: Their natural jet engines
remain impervious to the high
pressure of the deep sea.
Moreover, the systems that let
Known by its scientific name of Ecballium ela- them move are both silent and
terium, the squirting cucumber disperses its
fruit’s seeds in a sudden explosion. As the fruit extremely light. In fact, the
ripens, it fills with a slimy juice, which gradual- nautilus’ superior design
ly creates pressure. Through the buildup of in- served as a model for sub-
ternal pressure, it then propels its seeds with
an initial velocity of 56 km (35 miles) per hour. marines.
(Helmut Tributsch, How Life Learned to Live,
Cambridge: MIT Press, 1982, 59.)

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