What Scorpions Have To Teach Aircraft Designers 127
First time accepted submitter elloGov writes "The north African desert scorpion, Androctonus australis, is a hardy creature. Most animals that live in deserts dig burrows to protect themselves from the sand-laden wind. Not Androctonus; it usually toughs things out at the surface. Yet when the sand whips by at speeds that would strip paint away from steel, the scorpion is able to scurry off without apparent damage thanks to the unique structure of its carapace. Dr Han Zhiwu of Jilin University and colleagues have found that surface irregularities based on the scorpion's exoskeleton could substantially minimize atmospheric dust damage to aircraft."
Scorpions (Score:5, Funny)
Scorpions are great at exactly one thing... (Score:5, Funny)
Forgot the most obvious lesson (Score:3, Funny)
Re:That would be cool... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Oblig (Score:4, Funny)
Re:That would be cool... (Score:5, Funny)
[snip] Ok I just scared myself into never going out again.
And if you are anything like me, that did not really change your life radically
Re:Not to mention... (Score:3, Funny)
In addition to the fine qualities you listed, we Scorpios are also too smart to believe in astrology.
Re:What about drag (Score:3, Funny)
Do you mean African or European sparrow?
Re:What about drag (Score:4, Funny)
Hurm... I have a crazy idea...
Anyone have a VW Golf and a ball peen hammer they're willing to part with?