Sandgrouse feathers inspire innovative water bottle design.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have studied the feathers of the desert-dwelling sandgrouse, which can hold up to 15% of their body weight in water while flying. Using high-resolution microscopes and 3D technology, they discovered the singular architecture of the feathers and how they can hold so much water. The team hopes their findings will inspire new bio-inspired creations, such as a water bottle that prevents swinging and sloshing, netting for collecting water from fog and dew in desert regions, and medical swabs that are easier to use.