Nature has long inspired some of engineering's most remarkable innovations. For more than 500 million years, the blood-sucking lamprey has survived in turbulent rivers by clinging tightly to prey and rocks. Now, researchers have turned this ancient biological strategy into a technological breakthrough, overcoming a longstanding challenge in robotics: enabling strong, reliable attachment to extremely rough surfaces in both air and water.

A research team from Peking University has developed a “hybrid adhesion suction disc” inspired by the lamprey's unique mouth structure. This compact device can adapt to almost any surface and lift objects hundreds of times its own weight, offering a breakthrough for for new applications in amphibious robotics, deep-sea exploration, and underwater manipulation.

They published their findings on February 24 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems.

A Harvard study shows that snakes “stand” by focusing bending and muscle activity in a small region near their base.

In a gift that supports basic research toward a clean geothermal resource that could transform the world’s energy transition, Quaise Energy has given $750,000 to Oregon State University (OSU). The gift will help OSU scientists recreate in the lab the conditions found miles underground common to the superhot rock which, if tapped, could  power the world, according to Carlos Araque, CEO of Quaise and a co-founder. The goal is to learn ever more about this geothermal resource, which is not easy to study in the field.

Innovative materials could help to reduce the energy consumption of electrical devices, allowing drones to fly longer and e-bikes to travel further. By introducing components made from metallic glass into electric motors, researchers aim to minimize energy losses during motor operation. Professor Ralf Busch and his team at Saarland University have developed new alloys for just this purpose. Working together with his colleague Professor Matthias Nienhaus and a group of international partners, the team are exploring fundamental aspects of how 3D printing can be used to manufacture motor components. The EU is supporting their research with €3.5 million.