Namib Desert Beetle Inspires Self-Filling Water Bottle

Namib Desert Beetle Inspires Self-Filling Water Bottle

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A U.S. start-up has turned to nature to help bring water to arid areas by drawing moisture from the air. NBD Nano aims to mimic the way a beetle survives in an African desert to create a self-filling water bottle capable of storing up to three litres every hour.

The insect harvests moisture from the air by first getting it to condense on its back and then storing the water. Using nature as an inspiration for technology, known as biomimicry, is increasingly widespread.