purify water
71. Leaves channel water: sacred fig
"Leaves are shaped so that water is funneled to run off the tip (called drip tips). Occurs more in understory, shady, humid conditions. An undergrowth study in Ghana showed that 90% of species have drip tips and that drip tips dry within 20 minute...
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72. Nasal surfaces remove water vapor: camel
"We have found that camels can reduce the water loss due to evaporation from the respiratory tract in two ways: (1) by decreasing the temperature of the exhaled air and (2) by removal of water vapour from this air, resulting in the exhalation of a...
73. Body changes stiffness: sea cucumber
"Catch connective tissues or mutable collagenous tissues of echinoderms can extensively change their mechanical properties such as elasticity and viscosity within a few minutes under the regulation of their nervous system. The tissues contain a la...
74. Ears seal out water: crocodile
"Muscular external nostril and ear flaps on crocodilians seal out water." (Fowler and Miller 2003:59)
75. Compounds deter insect feeding: water smartweed
"Polygodial, a compound in Polygonum hydropiper (water smartweed) is among the most potent deterrents to insect feeding known. "The deterrent effect appears to be a direct result of the action of polygodial on taste receptors. In lepidopteran l...
76. Frogs store water in their bladder and under their skin.
"[T]he water-holding frogs of Australia actually store water in their bladder and under their skin for use during droughts." (Morell 2001)
77. Self-cleaning fabric
A patented self-cleaning fabric is undergoing a pilot trial at an Israeli factory. According to the website from the Laboratory of Polymer & Composite Materials, the laboratory "develops superhydrophobic interfaces, based on polymer ...
78. Gills filter food from water.
"In the warm waters of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, a giant clam feeds, its valves agape to filter water and extract the tiny living organisms from it." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:113)
79. Hydrophilic polymers impede water movement by holding water inter- and extracellularly.
Hydrocolloids are large hydrophilic polymers frequently occurring in plants, especially seaweeds. All hydrocolloids interact with water, reducing its diffusion and stabilizing its presence. They play a critical role in seaweed by preventing dehydr...
80. Water changes physical properties of material, allowing material to absorb more water
"Note that the modulus of dry bast fibres is three to four times that of wet fibers. Water penetrates the amorphous regions and competes for potential hydrogen bonding sites and loosens the interactions between adjacent crystalline regions." (Wai...
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