Woodpecker Inspired Shock Absorber via New Scientist

The head of a woodpecker inspired the design of a shock absorber for electronics.

Researchers from the University of California wanted to learn how the woodpecker’s head can absorb such tremendous shock.

According to the New Scientist:

A woodpecker’s head experiences decelerations of 1200g as it drums on a tree at up to 22 times per second. Humans are often left concussed if they experience 80 to 100g, so how the woodpecker avoids brain damage was unclear.

Their studies reveal how amazing nature really is!

In the above info graphic five areas of the woodpecker’s head are compared to a design for a electronics shock absorber. The outer case  was inspired by the woodpeckers beak. The elastic layer is similar to the hyoid which is the springy part of the woodpeckers head that supports the tongue. The aluminum layer ressembles the woodpeckers skull and the electronics are the brain.

To test this design, researchers

placed it inside a bullet and used an airgun to fire it at an aluminium wall. They found their system protected the electronics ensconced within it against shocks of up to 60,000g.

Wow! This design could be used for flight data recorders, race car electronics, and much more.

For more information, read New Scientist’s article called Woodpecker’s Head Inspires Shock Absorbers.