Ep 4. Making Stuff Wilder
- October 23, 2013
In the fourth episode of season 41 of NOVA, titled "Making Stuff Wilder," host David Pogue explores the latest innovations in engineering and materials science. Pogue travels the world to meet with scientists and researchers who are developing new technologies inspired by nature. From bulletproof spider silk to self-healing concrete, the episode highlights the incredible potential of biomimicry.
Pogue starts by visiting a research lab in Japan where engineers are studying the properties of origami to develop new materials that can fold and unfold like paper. He then goes to Germany to meet with a team creating a new super-strong adhesive based on the principles of gecko feet. The team uses nanotechnology to mimic the tiny hairs on gecko feet that allow them to climb walls and ceilings. The result is a powerful adhesive that could one day be used in everything from construction to medicine.
Next, Pogue travels to California to visit a company that is developing a new kind of foam inspired by seashells. Seashells are incredibly strong and lightweight, making them an ideal model for new materials. The company has created a foam that is not only strong and lightweight, but also fire-resistant. It could be used in everything from furniture to insulation.
Pogue then heads to Scotland to meet with a team of researchers who are studying the incredible strength of spider silk. Spider silk is stronger than steel but is also incredibly flexible and light-weight. The team is working on creating a new kind of bulletproof vest made from spider silk. The vest would be much lighter and more comfortable to wear than traditional body armor.
In the final part of the episode, Pogue travels to the Netherlands to learn about a new kind of concrete that can heal itself when it cracks. The researchers have created a concrete that contains tiny capsules of bacteria and nutrients. When the concrete cracks, the capsules break open and the bacteria start to consume the nutrients, creating a concrete patch that can seal the crack.
Throughout the episode, Pogue emphasizes the importance of biomimicry in solving some of the world's most pressing problems. By looking to nature for inspiration, scientists and engineers are developing new materials that are stronger, lighter, and more sustainable than ever before. The episode is a fascinating look at the cutting-edge of innovation and technology.
