Top 5 Special Powers of Flowers    [22-07-2011] Flowers are beautiful, fragrant, and colorful plants that make buildings, gardens, and parks very pretty. But did you know that flowers also have special powers? They hold secrets and abilities that we never even knew they had, until now. Let’s look at how scientists have based their ideas and new inventions on the natural properties and powers of flowers. Improve Vision An electronic chip based on digital camera technology could restore eyesight to people with eye diseases. University of Oregon, U.S., physics professor Richard Taylor is developing something called a “nanoflower” which helps connect the electronic chip to healthy nerves in the eye. The nanoflower shape is based on the large surface areas and patterns in flowers. Produces Fuel A number of crops are being grown for fuel. One of the flowering ones, camelina, is related to the mustard plant. Camelina’s small seeds are extremely oily and have been produced for fuel. The U.S. military is also developing aviation fuel from the flower with a company known as Sustainable Oils. Adapts Packaging to Climate Harvard University researchers looked carefully at the pollen grain seeds of flowers. They realized that when the grains leave the flower, they begin to lose water. To keep from drying out the surfaces the flower grains fold inwards to keep their moisture. Researchers have used this knowledge of how pollen grains fold to work with bioengineers to design packaging that responds automatically to temperature and environmental changes. Waterproofing Lotus flower leaves are super hydrophobic which makes water droplets bounce off. Roses can also hold onto water droplets even when upside down, which is called “the rose petal effect.” Scientists at Duke University have discovered that there are layers of different textures on the surfaces of plants that keep the water from sticking. They are studying these flowers to try and design non-sticky, waterproof surfaces and materials. Wind Trees Architectural firm, NL Architects, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, uses flower-like windmills in the city. The flowery wind trees are strong, affordable, silent, and beautiful. Under 183 centimeters tall and 140 centimeters wide, the flower trees are easy to install anywhere. Made out of carbon fiber and fiberglass, the trees produce 945 kilowatt-hours per year. While most wind turbines are big and bulky, the firm’s Power Flowers fit wonderfully into the urban landscape.     출처: 어린이 영자신문 키즈타임즈 (www.kidstimes.net)