Page 185 - For Men of Understanding

FLUIDITY
AND THE BLUE TROUT

New York firemen add a substance
called ‘Yolioks’, which is similar to the
viscous gelatinous substance produced by the blue trout, to the tank water
of their vehicles. This substance increases the speed of water flow at the
hosepipe’s nozzle. This system increases the water’s pouring volume by 50%.
The mucoid fluid covering the blue trout’s skin reduces friction in the same
manner, and helps these fish proceed easily in water despite strong water
resistance.

THE EIFFEL TOWER AND THE HUMAN BONE

While designing the famous tower, Maurice Koechlin, assistant to Eiffel, the archi-
tect of the tower, was inspired by the femur, the lightest and strongest bone of
the human body. The result has been a self-ventilated and strong structure.
The femur, which has been a source of inspiration for the tower, is in the shape of
a pipe and has a fusiform internal structure, i.e. in which the bone narrows in the
middle and expands at each end. This structure provides flexibility and lightness
for the bones, yet does not cause them to lose a bit of their strength. In buildings
THE SNORKEL AND that are constructed in this way, construction material is saved, and the construc-
GNAT LARVAE tion’s skeletons gain firmness and flexibility.

The gnat larva that develops in THE ROBOT AND THE WORM
water satisfies its need for
oxygen through an air pipe Researchers from Amiens University took the worm as a model and manu-
reaching to the water surface. factured a worm-like robot consisting of independent components. This
The hair around the pipe robot can proceed in canals, in which man cannot move, to detect water
prevents water from leaking in leakages or make measurements.
just as the stopper on the top of
the snorkel does.