Human See, Human Do

Biomimicry, in which researchers get their ideas for new technologies from nature, is a growing field. Witness NBD Nano, which hopes to do the Namib Desert beetle one better. The insect draws moisture from the air, collecting it on its back, and stores it. The company is working on covering a bottle with water-attracting and -repelling material that will allow it to collect up to three liters (a little over three quarts) in an hour: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20465982