In a first for the field, an international research team has provided an overview of palaeo-bioinspiration in the journal Communications Biology, demonstrating its potential to contribute to innovation in sustainable development. Palaeo-bioinspiration involves studying long-extinct species to find inspiration for new technologies.
In their article, the team, led by Dr. Annabelle Aish of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in France and Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck of the University of Freiburg, demonstrate how the various structures and functions of fossil species, in terms of movement, defence, and perception, have already enriched the fields of hydrodynamics, aeromechanics, protection technology, and building construction. For instance, some architectural structures modelled on dinosaur bones have proven more effective at bearing heavy loads.
Thus, palaeontology provides not only designers and engineers with new ideas, but also researchers with valuable information with which to understand the form–function relationships and evolutionary origins of biological traits.
- Original publication:
Aish, A., Broeckhoven, C., Buffa, V. et al. Palaeo-bioinspiration draws on the fossil record to advance innovation. Commun Biol 8, 706 (2025). doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08043-6