sustainable design

Bio-borrowing: Aviation technology began with avian physiology

Science

Advancing with animals: Standout biomimicry of 2025

From water-skipping robots to elephant-skin inspired cooling materials, engineers have continued to find inspiration in nature in order to move technology forward for humans. And it's set to take center-stage in the new age of robotics.

A new vision for design: buildings that don’t dominate nature, but kneel beside it; protecting life as it learns to stand tall

Environment

TreeSoil earthen shelter nurtures young trees in harsh conditions

A new project called TreeSoil is reimagining how architecture can support vulnerable environments. It proposes a small but radical idea: build structures not for people, but to protect saplings struggling to survive in degraded landscapes.

The Z-Rope+ uses an innovative spring coil to replicate the gym's battle ropes for workouts you can do anywhere

Fitness & Exercise

World's first portable battle ropes work 10 muscle groups – without the ropes

Following a campaign that raised nearly US$350,000 from more than 2,000 backers, the innovative fitness startup behind the first ropeless battle ropes has fine-tuned its hit debut and added two more levels to suit everyone from beginners to athletes.

A plant-based plastic almost completely biodegraded in less than seven months

Environment

"First plastic demonstrated to not create microplastics" has been tested

Even when it’s ground into microparticles, 97% of an algae-based plastic biodegrades in compost and water in under seven months, a new study has reported. The researchers hope their plastic will eventually replace existing petroleum-based ones.

As climate change warms the planet, planning to include urban infrastructure like botanical gardens, parks, street trees, green walls and wetlands could help cool city air

Environment

Botanical gardens can cool city air by an average of 5 °C

Temperatures around the world are on the rise, with 2023 recently confirmed as the hottest since records began. A new study has found that bringing nature into cities could help lower temperatures during heatwaves.

Science

11 trailblazers on International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024

February 11 marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The day celebrates both the work of women across vast scientific disciplines, but also recognizes ongoing gender-based challenges. Here, we pay tribute to 11 stars of STEM today.

URB's Dubai Reefs is the world's largest ocean restoration project

Environment

Dubai Reefs: World’s largest ocean restoration project unveiled

URB has unveiled the "world’s largest ocean restoration project" on the Dubai coast, the stunning and sustainable Dubai Reefs. The floating community is intended to be the center of marine research, eco-regeneration and eco-tourism worldwide.

Environment

In-flight meal tray reinvented with eco-friendly and edible packaging

Design studio PriestmanGoode recently revealed a sustainable in-flight meal tray concept that includes edible packaging. The eco-friendly design is part of a project addressing the impact of plastic waste, with a focus on the aviation industry.

Open-source beehives can be downloaded and printed using a CNC router (Photo: Open Source Beehives)

Environment

Open-source beehives developed to tackle Colony Collapse Disorder

A collective of eco-technologists has designed open-source beehives to help encourage bee populations and fight Colony Collapse Disorder. Sensors track the movements, moods and geo-location of the bees.