15 Human Technologies Inspired by Plants and Animals: How Biomimicry Is Shaping the Future

Direct comparison of the Kingfisher's beak and the Bullet Train nose cone.

8. Spider Silk-Inspired Materials — Stronger Than Steel

The strong, lightweight structure of a spider web inspired the creation of materials like bird-safe glass with UV-reflective patterns.

Spider silk is one of nature’s strongest materials—stronger than steel by weight and incredibly flexible.

This has inspired research into:

  • Ultra-strong synthetic fibers
  • Medical sutures
  • Lightweight body armor
  • Aerospace materials
  • Biodegradable packaging

Although synthetic silk is still being perfected, it holds massive potential across medical and industrial fields.