Scientists and engineers are getting some wild ideas from the wild kingdom
Boxfish styling makes car fuel efficient
Chrysler admits that the boxfish, a reef-dwelling amphibian, looks anything but streamlined and agile at first sight. But upon closer inspection, scientists and engineers at the auto manufacturer had a change of heart. They copied the fish's aerodynamic shape and the structure of its rigid, protective skin to produce a concept vehicle, shown here, that is stable, fuel-efficient and durable. Though a production model will never see the light of day, the company plans to incorporate many of the design elements into future cars.
Check out nine more innovations inspired by nature:
Gecko glue: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-gecko-glue
Sea cucumber plastic: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-sea-cucumber-plastic
Speedy swimsuit: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-speedy-swimsuits
Jet sprayers: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-jet-sprayers
Drones: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-drones
Repellant materials: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-repellant-materials
Bullet trains: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-bullet-train
Fishy armor: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-fishy-armor
Whiter whites: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-white-album

© 2008 msnbc.com
Reproduced with permission of MSNBC, from Ten innovations inspired by nature by John Roach, October 21, 2008; permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.

You can read this story in its original location at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27285982