A Sandgrouse’s Feathers Could Lead to New Absorbent Materials

An extreme closeup of the desert-dwelling sandgrouse’s belly feathers, which can absorb water like a sponge and hold it while in flight, could inspire the next generation of absorbent materials. Researchers are studying this ability, as, if replicated, it could lead to new absorbent materials. Watch this video to learn more.

"It's super fascinating to see how nature managed to create structures so perfectly efficient to take in and hold water," said co-author Jochen Mueller , an assistant professor in Johns Hopkins' Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, who specializes in smart materials and design. "From an engineering perspective, we think the findings could lead to new bio-inspired creations."