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Technology

30 Animals That Made Us Smarter

by BBC World Service
Technology
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Latest episodes

  • Insects and mobile phone

    January 17, 2022 · 21 min

    S2 Ep 30. Smart phones could become even smarter – thanks to ants, beetles, moths and spiders! A multi-animal special episode, marking the season 2 finale. Patrick explores what could be an insect inspired phone of the future! There’s the…

  • Butterfly and eye implant

    January 10, 2022 · 17 min

    S2 Ep 29. Not all butterflies are colourful. The transparent wings of the longtail glasswing butterfly may hold the key to more effective eye implants. This could be of huge benefit to people with glaucoma - the second leading cause of…

  • Slug and surgical glue

    January 3, 2022 · 18 min

    S2 Ep 28. From goo to super glue! Slug slime may hold the key to mending wounds without stitches or staples. Scientists have developed new adhesives based on the properties of slug slime, that are as sticky as any glue, stretchier than a…

  • Dragonfly and sky spy

    December 27, 2021 · 16 min

    S2 Ep 27. The amazing agility of a dragonfly leads to the creation of a new spy drone. Their four wings can move independently of each other, enabling them to fly forwards, backwards, sideways, up and down and suddenly stop and hover like…

  • Kingfisher and soil erosion

    December 20, 2021 · 14 min

    S2 Ep 26. A very clever solution to a significant environmental problem based on a kingfisher’s eyelids. When the brightly coloured bird dives for food, its eyes are covered in a way that protects the kingfisher’s eyeballs, rather like…

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  • Bees and fast deliveries

    December 13, 2021 · 16 min

    S2 Ep25. Sweet moves! Honey bees have developed an extraordinary form of communication known as the “waggle dance”, which directs other bees to where the best nectar can be found. As more and more bees explore the area, their directions…

  • Jellyfish and underwater robot

    December 6, 2021 · 15 min

    S2 Ep 24. The world’s most efficient swimmer is the moon jellyfish! It’s the inspiration for a soft underwater robot that is safe enough to use in fragile environments like coral reefs and aquatic archaeological sites. By contracting a…

  • Polar bear and insulation

    November 29, 2021 · 20 min

    S2 Ep 23. The science behind some fascinating fur could help humans keep warm in space. A polar bear’s fur is brilliant at insulating it from freezing arctic temperatures. Each shaft of hair contains multiple chambers which trap heat close…

  • Electric eels and medical implants

    November 22, 2021 · 18 min

    S2 Ep 22. From heart stopper to heart saver? The electric eel creates energy within its body to shock its prey. Scientists are copying the electricity-producing cells of the eel to develop a new type of soft, fleshy battery which may be…

  • Camel and desert architecture

    November 15, 2021 · 16 min

    S2 Ep 21. Take a peek into a camel’s nose! The science inside could help to cool desert homes. A camel re-absorbs the water normally lost in the breathing cycle, keeping its temperature down. An architect has copied this to create a system…

  • Lobsters and space telescopes

    November 8, 2021 · 20 min

    S2 Ep 20. How a sea creature can help us see more of our universe. A lobster’s eyes have evolved to spot food and potential threats in murky conditions at the bottom of the ocean. Scientists have copied their structure to create a new…

  • Pangolins and Waterloo Station

    November 1, 2021 · 17 min

    S2 Ep 19. A tricky design challenge solved! All thanks to the scaly skin of the pangolin. Scales cover its body in an overlapping pattern, providing both flexibility and armour against attack. Architects copied this to create a glass roof…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

Amazing things humans have learnt from the animal kingdom. Inspiring, fascinating, bingeable. Please note, we are no longer able to receive emails for this series.