Glands remove salt: penguins

Penguins help handle excess salt in their diet via specialized salt glands.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Homeostasis

Biomimetic Application Ideas

System for removal of salt from water, chemistries, or collection of valued salts.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"To handle excess salt loads of marine life, penguins have specialized salt glands in the facial region with histology similar to renal tissue." (Miller 1978:103)

About the inspiring organism

Spheniscidae
Spheniscidae
[Penguins]

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: System for removal of salt from water, chemistries, or collection of valued salts.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Desalination, manufacturing

References

Miller, R. E. 1978. Zoo and wild animal medicine. W. B. Saunders Philadelphia.

Glands remove salt: penguins

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